§ 61. Mr. BRIDGEMANasked the Secretary to the Treasury if a local branch of an approved society situate near the border between England and Wales, which from its geographical position must consist of members on both sides of the border, is obliged to be split up into English and Welsh sections, or may the branch admit members from both countries and remain, as before, an undivided branch?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIn the circumstances stated the branch may admit as members for the purposes of the National Insurance Act persons who are resident in England or in Wales, but it must divide its funds under the Act between the members of the different countries according to the residence of those so admitted.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware these Regulations make the position of these societies absolutely intolerable?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI do not think the Regulations do anything except carry out Section 23 of the Act.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer he has given will make the conditions absolutely intolerable?
§ Mr. J. WARDWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of abolishing the Regulations?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWill the right hon. Gentleman remember the fact that this particular Clause was passed without a word of discussion?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo, it was very fully discussed.