§ Mr. HORNERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the names and the approximate number of members in each of the societies, clubs, and unions in Ireland at present registered under the Friendly Societies Acts or under any other Act of Parliament having each over 5,000 members?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI regret that precise particulars are not available.
§ Mr. HORNERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I asked for the approximate number of the members, and that the answer to this question is of the greatest importance to a very large number of people?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe hon. Member asks me to guess at the number. It is quite as open for him to do that as for me. All I can say is I have no precise information, and that is all the information I am able to give to the House.
§ Mr. HORNERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that under the Friendly Societies Act a return of the members and assets of all these societies must be made every year? Surely he can make some inquiries with regard to the numbers?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEAll that information is circulated every year in a Blue Book by the Registrar of Friendly Societies, but I am told it is quite impossible to give the information for which the hon. Member asks.
§ Mr. ALFRED LYTTELTONWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake to obtain this information, having regard to the great importance of the subject?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI will communicate with the Registrar of Friendly Societies. It is a separate and independent office, but, if he can furnish me with the information, of course I shall be very happy to communicate it to the House.