28. Mr. F. HALLasked the Secretary to the Treasury if the rule of the National Amalgamated Approved Society empowering the committee of management to terminate the membership of any member guilty of wilful or material misstatement in his application for membership was sanctioned by the Insurance Commissioners; what facilities are afforded to persons dealt with under this rule for appeal against a decision of the committee; and if he will inquire into the circumstances in which the society referred to has refused an application for sickness benefit by an insured contributor named A. Wells?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe rules of the society, which were approved by the Commissioners, provide that the committee of management may expel a member on the ground not of wilful or material misstatement, but wilful and material misstatement. They further provide that such a member shall first have fourteen days' notice in writing, and shall have an opportunity of stating his case, either in writing or in person, as he may choose, and that he shall have an appeal to an arbitrator, and finally to the Commission. I am informed by the society that the person referred to was expelled, after due notice, on the ground that he had not disclosed on the form of application for membership the fact that he suffered from epileptic fits, that he has made no appeal against the decision, and that he was paid benefit from the end of February till the 2nd April, the last day in respect of which he sent any claim. If the hon. Member will inform me of any special circumstances which appear to make further inquiry desirable, I will see that it is made.