§ 39. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state why the Welsh Insurance Commissioners have forbidden friendly societies, which 361 are approved societies under the National Insurance Act, to conduct their meetings and business on licensed premises; whether he is aware of the resentment existing among friendly societies in Wales against this interference with their liberty and former custom; and why this interference is not made by the English Insurance Commissioners upon approved societies in England?
Mr. BENNThe regulations referred to in the first part of the question were made with the unanimous approval of the Welsh Advisory Committee, on which approved societies operating in Wales are fully represented, and my right hon. Friend is not aware of any such general feeling among these societies as the hon. Member suggests. I have fully and frequently explained in the House why similar regulations have not been made in England.