Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has yet received the advice of the Law Officers as to the effect of Section 72 of the National Insurance Act; whether the forty-nine societies and two branches which have lodged the necessary papers 32 and fees with the Registrar of Friendly Societies for dissolution have yet been allowed to dissolve; and whether Section 72 applies to every registered friendly society which has among its members persons insured under the Act, whether it becomes an approved society or not?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)I am advised that Section 72 cannot be regarded as impliedly repealing or suspending the power of dissolution conferred by the Friendly Societies Act, but any society which continues to exist, whether it has among its members persons insured with it under the Act or not, and whether it applies to become an approved society or not, comes under the obligation of Section 72 if it confers benefits on its members similar to those of Part I of the Act. The dissolution of the societies which have complied with the necessary formalities is proceeding.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSAm I to understand that all registered societies will have to bring in a scheme under Section 72?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, those which continue to exist after the commencement of the Act.
§ Mr. CASSELasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has any information as to the number of unregistered societies and sick clubs which, in addition to the registered societies, have dissolved or resolved to dissolve since the introduction and the passing of the National Insurance Act, 1911?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIn the absence of a list of such societies, or of any obligation on them to give notice when they dissolve, I am unable to give the information asked for by the hon. Member.