§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked whether the Insurance Commissioners are interpreting Section 39 (2) of the National Insurance Act to mean that a village friendly society with less than 5,000 members cannot, under the Act, become associated with a large county society with upwards of 5,000 members, such as the Wiltshire Friendly Society, and at the same time retain its independence and self-government; and, if not, whether, under Section 78 of the Act and in view of the desire of several village societies to take this course, the Commissioners can and will modify the provisions of the Act accordingly?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo actual cases have yet been before the Commissioners, but I see no reason why the objects aimed at by Section 39 should not be affected by means of an association of societies some one or more of which at the date of the valuation proves to have more than 5,000 members.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDoes the hon. Gentleman consider, after taking legal opinion, as I understand he has, that it is possible for such an association to take place?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs at present advised, yes.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked whether, in the interests of the smaller friendly societies, especially in rural districts, the committees of which can only attend to friendly society work in their very limited spare time, and in view of the fact that the model rules for approved societies, under the National Insurance Act, were only issued on 27th February, that societies are instructed to send in copies of their future rules when applying for approval, and that the Insurance Commissioners propose to commence the process of approving societies on 19th March, giving priority to all societies applying for approval before that date, the above date will be 546 postponed so as to afford sufficient time for the committees of the smaller societies to decide what course will prove most beneficial to their members?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt is a matter of great importance that approval should be given at the earliest date possible. If the Commissioners find that any society is unable to submit its proposed rules completed by the 19th March, but are in a position before that date to apply for approval subject to any such adjustments in its rules as may subsequently be found necessary, they will, so far as practicable, see that the society is not prejudiced.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think a good many societies think they gain advantages under those circumstances. The only advantage they may gain is a gain in numbers by being able to say they are approved societies.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these model rules were not issued to all societies on the same date, and that some are complaining of the others having an unfair advantage?
§ Mr. MASTERMANWe will try to see that everyone has a fair chance.