13. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Pensions why an Order has been issued prohibiting secretaries of branches of approved societies signing life certificates as witness of the pensioner, and stating that this may only be done by the secretary at the registered office of the society; and whether he will revert to the practice that permitted a branch secretary to verify and certify a pensioner's signature?
§ Major TRYONNo such Order as is referred to has been issued. Under the terms of the Treasury Warrant prescribing the classes of persons who may attest life certificates, secretaries of branches of approved societies are ineligible to sign unless the branch is registered under the Friendly Societies Acts. If the branch is so registered, the signature of the secretary is, of course, accepted.