§ Mr. KERR-SMILEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, of the nine National Insurance Act lecturers for Belfast and the province of Ulster, none had, previous to appointment, taken any prominent part in or had practical knowledge of the work of any of the leading friendly societies having branches in Belfast and district; that a meeting of representatives of the various friendly societies in Belfast had communicated to the Irish Commissioners their dissatisfaction with the appointments, and had asked that someone acquainted with friendly society work should be appointed; and whether the Commissioners can see their way to remedy the grievance complained of?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)Official lecturers are not appointed to represent the interests of societies with which they may have been previously associated, but to explain the provisions of the Insurance Act. The Irish Insurance Commissioners did not consider it an essential qualification of the lecturers that they should have been officials of friendly societies. Of the nine lecturers working in Ulster, one was a friendly society member, four were trade unionists, and two were women; and the selections generally have been confirmed by the success of the lectures. There are no vacancies for further appointments.