Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Friends in Distress Society, No. 309, Glamorgan, has duly resolved to dissolve, and has lodged the necessary papers and fees with the Registrar of Friendly Societies, and that registration of the dissolution has been refused by the Registrar pending consideration of the effect of Section 72 of the National Insurance Act; and will he say how many other societies desiring dissolution have similarly been refused?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Friends in Distress Society, No. 309, Glamorgan, has duly resolved to dissolve, and has lodged the necessary papers and fees with the Registrar of Friendly Societies. Registration of the dissolution has not been refused, but has been postponed pending consideration of the effect of Section 72 of the National Insurance Act on the power of societies to dissolve. The registration of instruments of dissolution has been similarly postponed in the case of forty-eight other societies and two branches.
§ Mr. CASSELMay I ask on what principle registration is being made in some cases and refused in others?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think there is a circular being sent in every case. There was a circular sent advising each society to make itself familiar with the conditions under the Insurance Act, and later there has been a postponement owing to the necessity of obtaining the highest legal opinion as to the influence of Section 72.