§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that friendly societies are not called upon to put stamps upon receipts and cheques bearing amounts of £2 and upwards in the transaction of their business; and, seeing that many trade unions carry on work of exactly the same nature as friendly societies under Part I. of the National Health Insurance Act, is he prepared to grant the same privileges to the trade unions as are enjoyed by friendly societies with respect to Stamp Duty in the transaction of business under the National Health Insurance Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANA registered friendly society is entitled to exemption from Stamp Duty on cheques or receipts for money payable by virtue of its rules or of the Friendly Societies Act, and this exemption is regarded as applicable to a registered friendly society which is also an approved society, in respect of similar documents used in the performance of its business under the Insurance Act. The question of extending the exemption in the Friendly Societies Act to approved societies generally, so far as regards their business under the Insurance Act, is under consideration.