Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the provisional scheme under Section 72 of the National Insurance Act, submitted by the Ancient Order of the Druids, had been refused by the Registrar of Friendly Societies and returned for amendment, on the ground that the proposed reduction of 4d. in the voluntary contributions for other than State benefits would affect the solvency of some of its branches; and how many other provisional schemes have been returned for amendment for similar reasons?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThere is no such society as the Ancient Order of the Druids. If the hon. Member's question refers to the Order of Druids Friendly Society, or to the United Ancient Order of Druids Friendly Society, no scheme has been submitted to the Registrar of Friendly Societies by either of these societies, and no scheme has been returned for amendment for the reasons mentioned in the question. Provisional schemes may be submitted by a society for each of all its branches, varying in accordance with the solvency of, and benefits paid by, each branch; and the larger Orders with branches have been provided with special forms for this purpose.