§ Mr. HAY MORGANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed under the National Insurance Bill that the State shall have any voice in or veto upon the appointment of the staff 936W of an approved society, or whether such appointments will be left to the society absolutely; whether the approved society will have complete control over its accumulated funds; and, if not, what are the proposed limitations?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe Bill gives the State no voice in the appointment of the staff of an approved society nor any veto upon such appointments. An approved society will retain complete control over its accumulated funds outside the National Scheme, but the accumulations derived from moneys contributed under the National Scheme can only be dealt with in the manner prescribed by the Bill. I may point out, however, that even in the latter case a considerable degree of freedom is given to the Society, and I have under consideration proposals for extending that freedom.
§ Mr. HAY MORGANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a person who is a member of more than one approved society under the National Insurance Bill will be able to choose the society through which he desires to receive the benefits under the Bill; and whether he will be permitted to continue his membership of other approved societies?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe answer to both portions of the question is in the affirmative.
Captan FABERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state whether ho can provide that in the new Insurance Bill approved societies shall be valued every five years at the cost of the State?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI think the triennial valuation which is provided for by Clause 29, and which will be carried out at the cost of the State, is a more desirable arrangement at the initiation of a scheme of national insurance. The Bill gives the Insurance Commissioners power to appoint other times for valuation.