31. ORMSBY-GOREasked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether superintendents or agents 1090 of approved societies such as the Prudential are allowed to see lists of the names of persons who are deposit contributors under the National Insurance Act; and whether they are allowed to use information of this kind, obtained in their capacity as officials or members of local insurance committees, to circularise deposit contributors and endeavour to urge them to join a particular approved society, while the agents of other approved societies have no means of obtaining lists of deposit contributors?
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENN (Lord of the Treasury)The Commissioners have issued a circular to all insurance committees drawing attention to the confidential nature of the information concerning insured persons which comes into their possession in the course of the discharge of their statutory duties. My right hon. Friend has no information which suggests that this principle is not generally adhered to in practice, but he is informed that in an isolated case in Wales where a doubt appeared to exist strong representations to the above effect were at once made to the committee concerned, and no further complaint has been received.