§ 49. Mr. WRIGHTasked if the right hon. Gentleman will say how many local insurance committees have been constituted on a provisional basis by the Insurance Commissioners, in pursuance of their powers under Section 78 of the Insurance Act; and if he will explain how contracts can, even though approved by the Insurance Commissioners, be made by the insurance committees so as to be binding upon the real local insurance committees when duly appointed and approved?
§ Mr. MASTERMANTwo hundred and eighty-seven committees have now been constituted. The proceedings of these committees will not be invalidated because as contemplated by Section 78 of the Act, certain of their members have not been appointed in exact accordance with the method laid down in Section 59, which section will govern the appointment of subsequent committees.
§ Mr. WRIGHTWill the right hon. Gentleman give an answer to the last part of my question?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe powers and duties of the committees are fully dealt with in the memorandum issued to the committees.
§ Mr. WRIGHTWhat section of the Insurance Act or other Acts gives these Insurance Committees power to enter into a contract of a binding character?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think if the hon. Member will study the memorandum he will see the limitations which are put upon their actions.
§ Mr. WRIGHTIs the memorandum more important than the Act of Parliament?
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether these provisional committees have the power to bind the final committees?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI understand that they have exactly the same legal effect as if the committees had been constituted in the normal manner.
Mr. CATHCART WASONMay I ask whether the memorandum so often referred to has been laid upon the Table of the House?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am taking every opportunity of placing all this literature before everyone who desires to have it.
§ Mr. BUTCHERUnder what section of the Act have these insurance committees power to bind the final committees?
§ Mr. MASTERMANUnder Section 59 in conjunction with an Order issued under Section 78.