93. Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the refusal of the Treasury to register the National Society of Free Workers under the Friendly Societies Act was based on the ground that the rules of the society were too indefinite; whether any, and if so, what, appeal was made against this decision; if he will give particulars of any previous cases in which the Treasury has refused to register a society for similar reasons; and if he will indicate what further particulars with reference to the organisation and objects of the society are necessary to be inserted in the rules to comply with the Treasury requirements?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The society has asked which parts of its rules are regarded as too indefinite, and has been informed in reply that the whole of Rule No. 2, except that part of it which provides for the alteration of this and other rules, is so regarded. I am not aware of any other case in which refusal has been based on precisely similar reasons, but I am not aware of any other society having made an application based on precisely similar rules. As the society has already been informed, the Treasury are not prepared to suggest amendments in the rules for the purpose of making it possible for them to alter their decision, 2109 but they will of course consider any amended rules that may be submitted to them.
§ Mr. MASTERMANOh, no! The Registrar of Friendly Societies has acted in an entirely official capacity in administering the Friendly Societies Act.