§ 46. Mr. GODFREY LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Prime Minister whether he has received any reports as to the probability of deficiencies at the first valuation of approved societies, which deficiencies will entail levies on or reduced benefits for the members; and, if so, will he give a day for the discussion of the subject?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no personal knowledge of the subject, but I understand that any information at present available is necessarily so incomplete as to preclude the possibility of accurate inferences or reliable judgments being based on it. In reply to the second part of the question, I understand that the matter may be discussed to-morrow night.
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that almost every day in the Press there are statements by officials of friendly societies that deficiencies will probably occur at the first valuation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no personal knowledge of the matter.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSWould the right hon. Gentleman inquire of the National Insurance Commissioners whether they have not already realised that at least 100 societies are about to go into deficiencies, and that they have called upon them to make claims on their reserve funds?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot at the moment add anything to what I have already said.