26. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to take any action in face of the statement contained in the recently published Report of the National Insurance Audit Department that many societies and branches had failed to produce books and accounts for audit, or had presented them in a state unfit for audit, and that one branch which was reported in the year under review for failure to produce essential information on matters arising at audit was so reported in relation to each of the five years of account from 1920 to 1924, the same secretary being in office throughout and responsible for each failure; and whether the societies affected by these criticisms are to be allowed to continue to have the administration of State funds?
§ Major COPEIn all cases where the auditor reports that a society or branch has not produced its books and accounts for audit at the proper time, or has produced them in a state unfit for audit, the society or branch is called upon to produce its accounts properly completed within a short specified time, and if it fails to do so and can furnish no reasonable explanation, arrangements are made for the transfer of its engagements to some other society or branch. As stated in the Report of the Audit Department, this procedure has had beneficial effects, and outstanding audits for old periods 2127 are now entirely non-existent. In the case of the particular branch referred to in the question, the engagements were transferred at April, 1926.
§ Colonel DAYAre there any cases of societies having refused to produce their books?
§ Major COPEI do not think I can add anything to the answer.
§ Mr. TAYLORIs the statement in the question about "many societies" correct or incorrect?
§ Major COPEI can only refer the hon. Member to the reply already given, that there are no cases outstanding now.