§ 63. Mr. THOMASasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the Midland Railway approved society compels any member who leaves the service of the Midland Railway Company to transfer from that society either to another approved society or to become a Post Office contributor; and whether, having regard to the fact that there may be a number of members who have become incapacitated in the company's service and are therefore unable to join new approved societies by reason of their health, he is prepared to take steps to ensure that Section 25, Sub-section (1), of the National Insurance Act is strictly adhered to?
§ Mr. MASTERMANUnder the rules of the Midland Railway Friendly Society an insured member who leaves the service of the Midland Railway Company is given a period of three months in which to find another approved society willing to admit him to membership, and if, owing to the state of his health, he cannot obtain admission to another society, his membership of the Midland Railway Friendly Society is allowed to continue. The rules comply fully with the provisions of Section 25 of the National Insurance Act, and I have no reason to suppose that these provisions are not strictly adhered to.