HL Deb 20 July 1875 vol 225 cc1730-1

Amendments reported (according to Order).

Clause 14 (Duties and obligations of Societies).

THE EARL OF MORLEY

moved an Amendment, after ("society") insert—("as audited"); in line 36, leave out ("and") to ("audited") and insert— ("And such annual return shall state whether the audit has been conducted by a public auditor appointed as in this Act provided, and by whom; and, if by any person or persons other than a public auditor, shall state the name, address, and calling or profession of each of such persons, and the manner in which and the authority under which they were respectively appointed. If it shall appear to the registrar that the annual return so audited is imperfect or unsatisfactory, he may, if he thinks fit, submit the account of the society for audit to a public auditor appointed as in this Act provided.")

EARL BEAUCHAMP

said, he could not accept the Amendment, for the reason that it would have the effect of throwing upon the auditor the whole responsibility of the audit and management of the Friendly Societies' accounts. All the Government could do was, to take care that the utmost publicity should be given to the affairs of a Society, but it could not interfere in a matter which properly belonged to the working members in each case. It would also create great dissatisfaction if there were a Government audit in some cases and not in others.

Amendment (by leave of the Committee) withdrawn.

Clause 28 (Payments on death of children).

THE EARL OF ROSEBERY

moved, in page 31, line 1, after ("parent") to insert— ("Preference being given to a grandparent, uncle, aunt, or other relative, who has stood in 'loco parentis' to the child.")

Amendment moved, in page 31, line 1, after ("parent") to insert—

("Preference being given to a grandparent, uncle, aunt, or other relative, who has stood in 'loco parentis' to the child.")

EARL BEAUCHAMP

objected to the Amendment on the ground that it would tend to introduce confusion into the law.

On Question? Their Lordships divided:—Contents 28; Not-Contents 50: Majority 22.

Resolved in the Negative.

Amendments made; Bill to be read 3a on Thursday next, and to be printed, as amended. (No. 215.)