21. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked whether by Regulation 964, of 1912, a reserve value is to be credited in respect of an insured person who resigns his original approved society and joins another society within three months of his resigning his original society; if so, whether it is intended to provide two reserve values for the same man or whether the reserve value credited to the original society will be used for the second society; and, if the latter, how this is consistent with Circular A.S. 92?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Regulations referred to do not deal with the crediting of reserve values, but only with the time within which an insured person may join a society without becoming a deposit contributor. The answer to the first part of the question is, therefore, in the negative. Two reserve values will not be provided in respect of a man who leaves a society without consent which the society proves to have been reasonably withheld. As I stated in answer to the hon. Member on Monday, if such a person should join another society within the time prescribed by the Regulations, that society would, owing to Section 31 of the Act, have to take him without the reserves represented by the transfer value, and it is to be presumed, therefore, that it is unlikely that he will gain admittance to another society.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSIs it not a fact that under Regulation 964 if a man who has resigned membership of a society joins another society within three months, he is entitled to claim reserve value?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI cannot recall to my memory at the moment what takes place in regard to that Regulation. May I ask the hon. Gentleman to give notice of the question?
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSMay I remind the right hon. Gentleman that I have given notice on two occasions? Will he consider the matter finally and give me an answer?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAnswers have been given to the questions which the hon. Gentleman has put on the Paper.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSMay I call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that the question on the Paper has not been answered? It is a point of importance.
22. Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why there has been nearly four months' delay in transferring a deposit contributor, No. 4286 C.W., from the Post Office to the Amalgamated Approved Society, with the consequence that, although he has paid thirty-two contributions and has been certified for sick benefit three weeks ago, he is unable to obtain any benefits; and, in view of the fact that he is in need, whether steps will be taken to expedite the transfer?
§ Mr. MASTERMANNo claim for transfer has yet been received from the society in this case. I am making inquiry as to the claim for benefit made by the insured person referred to, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWill the right hon. Gentleman say that not only is respect of this case but of similar cases where a Post Office contributor has applied to become a member of a new society, there has not been, when he has claimed benefit, a delay of four months before the cash at his credit was transferred to the new society?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am not aware of any delay of four months. So far as I know a transfer is completed with great rapidity.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire into this particular case where a delay of four months occurred?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThat is exactly what I am doing.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDIs it a fact that by signing a declaration that he has paid so many contributions, his approved society can pay?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI would like notice of that.