§ Mr. MAURICE HEALYasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Cork United Trades and Labour Council have been refused representation on the health insurance committee for the city of Cork; whther he is aware that this council have for many years been the central organised labour body in the city of Cork and at present represents over 2,000 insured persons in the city; whether the Irish Insurance Commissioners gave formal notification to the council when the local committee was being formed with a view to their nominating a member to represent the workers of the city; and if he will state why representation was afterwards refused them?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Irish Insurance Commissioners circularised all societies which had intimated their desire to become approved, inviting them to suggest members of insurance committees. I understand that the Cork United Trades and Labour Council started an approved society called the Federation of Trade Unions of Cork and District National Health Insurance Society for approval under the Act, but, as the society did not send in an application for approval until 22nd June, it did not receive the invitation sent out to societies which had applied earlier. No communication as to membership of the Cork Insurance Committee appears to have been received at any time from the council itself and none from the federation until 1st August, when the Commissioners were obliged to inform them that as the committee had already been constituted it was not possible to appoint the gentleman they suggested.