§ Sir HENRY KIMBERasked whether an approved society which has less than 5,000 members at any valuation, and is thereby required to pool half of its surplus in the county or other pool, will be required to pay any of the expenses incurred in connection with the administration of that pool?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGESmall societies will contribute rateably with other societies to the costs of the local health committee which is responsible for the administration of the county pool. If they form separate associations for the purpose of pooling they will have to arrange the question of costs among themselves. I may point out that the committee administering a pool will not, in most cases, incur any serious expense, as they will be able to act upon the report of the Government valuer.
§ Sir HENRY KIMBERasked whether a society of less than 100 members will be permitted to administer benefits to its members under the National Insurance Bill on the condition that it shall at each valuation pool half its surplus in the county pool; and, if so, will such society transact its business direct with the Insurance Commissioners or through the local health committee having control of the county pool?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThere is nothing to prevent the Insurance Commissioners giving approval to a society with a hundred members, and if they give such approval the society would transact its business direct with the Insurance Commissioners, except that on a valuation it would pay half of any surplus into the county pool under the administration of the health committee, and have a claim upon that pool in the event of a deficiency.