§ Major MacANDREWasked the Minister of Health in view of the fact that the Report of the National Insurance Audit Department for 1925 shows that, out of 9,304 accounts of approved 62W societies, no less tin 3,586 were the subject of reservations by the auditors on account of irregularities, double the amount reported in 1914, what steps he intends to take?
§ Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAINI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to paragraph 669 of the Report of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance, in which it is stated that
when regard is had to the aggregate amount involved in the annual transactions with State Insurance Funds, the amount adversely reported upon is almost negligible. In 1924, on an expenditure of £19,000,000 audited in that year, only £3,878 was thus reported, a rate of 4s. 0d. per £1,000. This figure shows, we think, reasonable ground for feeling that the accounting of Approved Societies is performed with honesty and accuracy.The figures for 1925 were slightly better than those for 1924, and while every effort will continue to be made to bring the administrative and accounting work of societies up to the highest possible level, I do not think that the present position in this respect can he regarded as: unsatisfactory.