§ 29. Mr. NEWMAN:asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the feeling of irritation experienced by officers and members of friendly societies at what they consider needless interference with the voluntary work of the societies, and more especially to the proposed Regulation of the Insurance Commissioners relative to the right of members to hold their meetings at such places as they may deem most advantageous for the conduct of their business; and whether an opportunity will be afforded of discussing the proposed Regulation before it becomes effective?
§ 30. Mr. EVELYN CECILasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he intends to withdraw or modify the proposed Regulation of the National Insurance Commissioners, now lying upon the Table of the House, which will deprive members of friendly societies of the right to hold their meetings at such places as the majority of the members may determine to be most convenient to themselves and most advantageous to the business of the societies?
53. Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the opposition among friendly societies to the Regulation now lying upon the Table prohibiting friendly societies from holding their meetings in public-houses, and in consideration of the inconvenience and less which will occur to societies in carrying out the Regulation, the Government will withdraw it?
§ 106. Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the National Insurance Commission have passed a Resolution which, if carried into effect, would deprive the friendly societies of the right to hold their meetings at such places as the majority of the members consider most convenient; whether he is aware that Parliament refused to embody such a Resolution in the National Insurance Act; that the proposed Regulation relates only to the State section of the societies; whether he is aware that it would be impossible for a society to meet at one place 1390 for its State work and at another place for its voluntary work; and, seeing that the friendly societies consider that the Regulation is an interference with the administrative functions of the societies on their voluntary side and a distinct breach of the promise repeatedly made by him that no such interference would be exercised, whether he will assure the House that the proposed Regulation shall not be put into force until he has ascertained the views of the friendly societies upon the question?
Mr. BENNI propose to take questions 29, 30, 53, and 106 together. As I have previously stated in answer to similar questions, no Regulation has yet been laid before the House, and I have therefore nothing to add to my former replies.