Sir H. COWANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Caledonian Order of United Oddfellows Friendly Society has paid £6,500 sterling in sickness and death benefit as a result of the War, while the total sum expended by all the friendly societies of the United Kingdom is approximately £1,000,000 sterling; and whether, in view of the fact that friendly societies were compelled to make these payments in virtue of Section 43 of the Friendly Societies Act of 1896, and the serious consequent depletion of their resources, he can see his way, by effecting economies in less important items of national expenditure, to afford some relief to these societies in respect of this War expenditure?
§ Mr. BALDWINI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Keighley Division on the 15th May last, and to the answer which I am giving to-day to his question No. 139.