Mr. NEWDEGATEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Mr. Birkin, who has subscribed for forty-two years to the Midland Railway Friendly Society, the last twelve years since his retirement from the service of the Midland Railway Company as an out-subscriber, who reached the age of sixty-five on 13th August last, has been informed that, owing to the reorganisation of that society, caused by the National Insurance Act, he is only to receive a pension of Is. 3d. a week, instead of 5s., between the ages of sixty-five and seventy, and of 7d. a week, instead of 5s., after reaching the age of seventy; whether the alteration of this benefit was made with the sanction of the Registrar of Friendly Societies and of the Insurance Commissioners; whether subscribers to this friendly society were consulted before this alteration was made; and whether, in the event of this alteration having been made without consulting the persons concerned, he will give orders to the Insurance Commissioners and the Registrar of Friendly Societies to refuse their consent to this alteration and arrange that those benefits for which members of this friendly society have subscribed are paid to them in full; and whether he is aware that the Board of Trade disclaim all responsibility for the matter, and declare that it is entirely one for the Insurance Commissioners and the Treasury?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have no information as to the. particular case mentioned in the question. The reorganisation of the society was not caused by the National Insurance Act, but by the necessity of removing the very large deficiency which existed in the society. It is believed that the amendments necessary to carry out the reorganisation were properly adopted in accordance with the rules of the society, but such amendments have not yet been registered. If they have been so adopted, and are in accordance with law, the Registrar has no jurisdiction to refuse to register them.