§ Sir HAROLD ELVERSTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the auditor of the accounts of the United Friendly Insurance Company states in his report that they were unable to certify definitely that no part of any fund shown above had been applied directly or indirectly for any purpose other than that class of business to which it is applicable; whether he is aware that this is at least the second occasion on which such a statement has been made; and if the Board is powerless to move in such matters?
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Mr. RUNCIMANThe report of the auditors of the United Friendly Insurance Company, Limited, is in the form stated. When my hon. Friend asked a question on this subject last year communication was at once made with the company and the Board of Trade were informed that the difficulty in giving a satisfactory certificate had arisen owing to the form of the accounts of the company's agents. A definite promise was obtained from the company that as from the 1st January last the accounts of the agents would be kept in such a way as to enable a definite certificate to be given.