28. Mr. NEWDEGATEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will instruct the Registrar of Friendly Societies and the Insurance Commissioners to refuse to sanction any alteration in the benefits to be received by the Midland Railway Friendly Society members if such alteration reduces the benefits to be re- 690 ceived, in view of the fact that the Midland Railway employés were compelled, on taking service, to join that friendly society, and such proposed reduction of benefits would be a breach of contract?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am informed that there is nothing in the rules of this society to make membership compulsory on employés of the railway company, and there has been no rule of such a kind, at any rate since 1879. I have explained in earlier answers the circumstances in which the benefits of this society were reduced. The alteration was in no way due to the Insurance Act and the Insurance Commissioners have no power to sanction or refuse to sanction, alterations of benefits which are not provided from, and are quite independent of, the Insurance Funds.
Mr. NEWDEGATEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the person insured joined the society before 1879?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat does not compel us to take that society as an approved society.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWas this society registered as a friendly society under the Friendly Societies Acts, and if so, is not the Registrar obliged to refuse sanction to an alteration which would limit the benefits to members?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI cannot answer the hypothetical part of the question, but I have information as to the other part which I will give to the hon. Gentleman.
Mr. NEWDEGATEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that this has nothing to do with the Insurance Act? It has to do with a member of the Midland Railway Friendly Society.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI quite agree that it has nothing to do with the Insurance Act. I explained, in answer to earlier questions the circumstances in which the benefits were reduced. I shall be glad to send the hon. Gentleman copies of the answers.
Mr. NEWDEGATEWill the right hon. Gentleman give instructions that the benefits will not be reduced without notice to the persons concerned?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI should like to know whether I have any power to give such an instruction.