§ 68. Mr. MOOREasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that official leaflet No. 3, issued by the National Health Insurance Commissioners (Ireland), states that there is no minimum of membership laid down for a friendly society to become an approved society in Ireland; if in England the minimum is fixed at fifty members; and if he can state why the Irish Commissioners have refused to recognise the Lurgan Friendly Society as an approved society?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo fixed minimum of membership applying to all societies is laid down. Before granting approval to a society the Commissioners satisfy themselves that it has a reasonable prospect of conducting the work of the Act satisfactorily; but what is the lowest number compatible with this condition varies with the circumstances of the particular society. The Irish Commissioners, after careful consideration of the application of the society mentioned by my hon. Friend, decided that they were not justified in giving approval on the facts presented to them, but they have promised to reconsider the application if the society can satisfy them that it would have a membership of 100 for State insurance purposes.
§ Mr. MOOREHas the right hon. Gentleman seen this leaflet with this statement under the hands of the Commissioners? If there is to be a limit of fifty for England, will not the Commissioners for Ireland apply the same rule all round? Has not a branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians been admitted under that limit?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI cannot answer that question without notice. There are 284 different conditions for branches of approved societies and for separate societies, and if this were a branch of an approved society I do not think there would be any difficulty in allowing a lesser number.
§ Mr. MOOREIn this case has there not been a most unfair discrimination against a Protestant society?
§ Mr. MASTERMANProtestants are equally represented with Catholics on the Irish Commission.