HC Deb 11 July 1922 vol 156 cc1161-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a sum, not exceeding £22,746, be granted to His Majesty, to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1923, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Registry of Friendly Societies."—[NOTE: £14,500 has been voted on account.]

Captain W. BENN

This is the appropriate occasion to raise a matter which has aroused great interest among friendly societies, namely, the imposition of a 10s. fee on returns made by branches of societies. The Committee will remember that the Geddes Committee in their Second Interim Report on the Friendly Societies Registry drew attention to the Appropriations-in-Aid on this Vote, and made a suggestion—

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Baird)

Perhaps it would shorten discussion if I announce that we do not propose to impose this charge.

Captain BENN

My desire certainly is to shorten discussion, and I can only say that the announcement which the Government now make—that they do not propose to impose this charge, which would have been a very serious handicap on many societies, of many branches, and a heavy burden on their small management fund—will be very welcome, and will give very general satisfaction.