§ Mr. ROWNTREEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the special conditions obtaining in connection with friendly societies whose branches are grouped in districts, with their sick funds centralised in the district organisations, which are entirely independent financially of the grand order; whether he is aware that the 364W effect of this district consolidation, or pooling, has been that some districts which were in an insolvent condition have been made solvent by this district combination or pooling, combined with increased contributions from their members, whilst other districts refusing to adopt such a policy remain insolvent; if so, whether it will be possible, under the terms of the National Insurance Bill, for such district organisations otherwise qualified under the terms of the Bill to be accepted as approved societies; and, if not, whether he will consider the alteration of the Bill making such a course possible?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEDistricts of a society with branches will not be approved apart from the main society, but the Bill enables the districts to maintain complete financial control of their own contributions.