§ 47. Mr. GINNELLasked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the growing practice of persons of no means or reputation, without giving any security, getting themselves registered as societies under the Friendly Societies Acts, forthwith collecting money from poor people in exchange for bogus policies of insurance, spending the money on themselves and their agents, and when any considerable claim is made winding-up and starting another society of the same kind, or running several concurrently; and, in view of the sum taken in this way in recent years from the poorest of the population, the professed inability of the existing Departments to deal with the evil, and the fact that legislation to remedy it would not be contentious, whether such legislation will be introduced this Session?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that there have been cases of collecting societies which have been started without a bonâ-fide intention of carrying on business for the benefit of the insured, but I do not think the practice can be said to be a growing one. I fear I do not see my way to introduce legislation on the subject.