§ 61. Mr. RAPERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to adopt the Geddes Committee's recommendation with regard to taxation of 10s. per annum and 10s. every five years for complying with the requirements of the Friendly Society Acts and Registry Office; and is he aware of the fact that the adoption of such a suggestion would mean that a centralised society would only incur a total tax of £3 over a period of five 237 years whereas an affiliated order having, say, 4,000 small branches would be charged £12,000 in the same period?
§ Sir R. HORNEI would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Hulme on the 13th instant.
§ Major HOWARDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these friendly societies carry out work not of an industrial character, but simply giving relief to members when sick, and will he prevent that good work being done by taxation?
§ Sir R. HORNEHon. Members are inclined to treat this matter as if it had been decided. No decision has yet been come to at all.