HC Deb 24 July 1912 vol 41 cc1175-6
32. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state the nature of the engagements contracted by the National United Friendly Society of Glasgow which brought about its cessation; whether the cessation was due to financial inability to meet the engagements or to their illegality; in what way the contracts questioned have been legalised, if at all; whether the registrar of friendly societies has approved the arrangement whereby the same persons who ran that society have transferred to themselves, under the name of the United National Friendly Assurance Collecting Society of Glasgow, the property of victims of the former society and now repudiate liability to those victims and refuse to answer their letters; whether he can state the number of persons who have lost their savings through that transaction; why a society founded by those persons under the National Insurance Act, and containing in its name the technical word approved was registered at a time when that name was false and misleading; and whether the official approval since obtained will be cancelled or suspended pending further inquiry?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to another question which I am circulating to the hon. Member for East Limerick to-day. I have no evidence that the National United Insurance Society, Limited, have repudiated their liabilities, but if the hon. Member will supply me with information I will have the matter investigated.

Mr. GINNELL

In view of the fact that certain societies not appearing on the official list can be approved, will the right hon. Gentleman arrange to have a complete list kept written up and placed in the Library?

Mr. MASTERMAN

I thought that was being done at present, but, if not, I will do as requested.