§ (1) Where a society consists of persons entitled to rights in a provident fund or any similar fund established for the benefit of persons employed by one or more employers, the society may be approved:
§ Provided that its constitution provides that the election of all the committees, representatives, and officers elected by the workmen shall be by ballot, notwithstanding that the employer is entitled to representation on the committee or other body administering the fund, to an extent not exceeding one quarter of the total number of the body, if the employer, in addition to the employer's contributions payable by him under this Part of this Act, is responsible for the solvency of the fund or for the benefits payable thereout, or is liable to pay a substantial part of, or to make substantial contributions to, or substantially to supplement, the benefits payable out of the fund:
§ Provided that no such society as aforesaid shall be approved unless by its constitution it is prohibited so far as concerns the benefits under this Part of this Act from refusing to allow a member to 693 transfer to another approved society, and from refusing to allow a member who is discharged from or leaves the employment of the employer and is unable to obtain admission to another approved society on account of the state of his health to continue a member:
§ Provided also that no such society shall be approved if the employer makes membership of such society a condition of employment.
§ (2) Where, for the purpose of enabling any such society to become an approved society, it is necessary to make any alteration in the existing rules or constitution of the society which it is not competent for the society under its existing constitution to make, a scheme for the purpose may be submitted for the approval of the Insurance Commissioners.
§ (3) Where such a scheme has been approved by the Insurance Commissioners, the Act or deed constituting the society shall have effect subject to the provisions of the scheme, but the Insurance Commissioners shall not approve any such scheme unless they are satisfied that the members of the society have been given an opportunity of voting by ballot thereon, and that the scheme makes proper provision for safeguarding existing rights and interests.
§ Amendments made: In Sub-section (1), after the word "a" ["a provident fund"], insert the words "superannuation or other."
§ Leave out the words "or any similar fund."
§ Leave out the words "Provided that its constitution provides that the election of all the committees, representatives, and officers elected by the workmen shall be by ballot."
§
After the word "member" ["continue a member"], insert the words
and unless its constitution provides for the election of the members of the committee of management (other than the employer's representatives) by ballot."—[Mr. Lloyd George.]