§ 32. Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the London Co-operative Society, Limited, has opened a legal department for the purpose of undertaking legal work for profit; and what action he proposes to take in view of this apparent breach of its rules as filed with the Registrar of Friendly Societies?
§ Mr. COOPERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and in these circumstances it is not possible to say whether any matter has arisen in which the chief registrar could take any action.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDo I understand "in the negative" to mean that my hon. Friend is not aware of the facts or to mean that the facts are not as suggested in the question?
§ Mr. COOPERI mean what I say. I am not aware. That is what I was asked.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWould my hon. Friend be good enough to make inquiries as to the possibility of some breach of the rules?
Mr. GURNEY BRAITHWAITEIs it a fact that the society's own solicitor resigned rather than undertake the work?
§ Mr. COOPERIf there has been any breach of the rules, it is not for me to intervene. It is a matter for the chief registrar. It is for the hon. Members and others interested in the society to bring these facts to the notice of the registrar.
§ Mr. LEONARDIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this department has functioned for four years; that there is no rule contravened by this action and that the Law Society is fully aware of the arrangement?
§ Mr. PIKEIf that be so, under what enactment has the co-operative society power to set up a legal department?