HC Deb 05 June 1940 vol 361 cc964-6

10.32 p.m.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Assheton)

I beg to move, in page 2, line 16, to leave out "the power conferred by."

The object of this and the two following Amendments is to exclude superannuation schemes, which are operated by registered friendly societies, industrial and provident societies and trade unions, from the provisions of Sub-section (2). The reason for this is that these bodies already enjoy facilities afforded by the Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1940, whereby they can amend their rules by resolution of the committee of management of the society or of the trade union. Machinery already exists under Section 1of the Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1940, for doing what this Bill would enable them to do. The Section is already working smoothly. I may say that the trade unions approve of this Amendment, which has in fact been put down on the suggestion of the Registrar of Friendly Societies.

10.36 p.m.

Mr. Rhys Davies (Westhoughton)

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us how many schemes will be affected by these Amendments, and while he says that the trade unions are satisfied with the Amendments which he is putting forward will he also say whether the friendly societies and the industrial and provident societies have also made representations to him? I should have thought that the draftsmen of this Bill would surely have known what the hon. Member has just said when the Bill was being drafted. I confess that I was a little alarmed, before he spoke this evening, about the possible effects of this Amendment on superannuation schemes, but as he says that all that is to be done under this Bill can already be done under the other Act I now feel much more satisfied.

Mr. Assheton

We have satisfied ourselves that the friendly societies, as well as the trade unions, are satisfied with this Amendment, which, as I said, has been put down on the suggestion of the Registrar of Friendly Societies.

Mr. Davies

What about the industrial and provident societies?

Mr. Assheton

I understand that they, too, are satisfied.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made:

In page 2, line 17, after "shall," insert: not have effect if the scheme is constituted by rules of a friendly society or trade union within the meaning of the Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1940, or of a society registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts, 1893 to 1928, and.

In line 19, after "scheme," insert: then— (a) the power conferred by Sub-section (2) of this Section shall."—[Mr. Assheton.]

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill.