§ 40. Mr. BOOTHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the report of a speech by Mr. W. A. Platt at a meeting of Rechabite secretaries, held on the 3rd June at Leeds; whether Mr. Platt is a member of the Departmental Committee on Approved Society Finance and Administration; and, if so, whether his statement that the alternative to the recommendations in the Interim Report of that Committee that the nation should take over the whole of the approved societies, pool the whole of their funds, and form a national fund and society, is authorised and represents the view of the Treasury?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Montagu)My attention had not previously been called to the speech in question, and I had not seen a report of it. The answer to the second question is in the affirmative. As regards the third, I do not gather from the hon. Member's question that Mr. Platt purported to go beyond the expression of his individual opinion.
§ Mr. BOOTHDoes not the right hon. Gentleman see the inconvenience of a member of this Committee making statements of this kind in order to influence the decisions of friendly societies by practically threatening them with suppression?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI understand that this gentleman, having signed the Report of this Committee, advocated its recommendation to people interested, and uttered a prophecy with which I have no concern.