§ Mr. CAUTLEYasked the Minister of Health whether the Prudential Approved 2407W Society for Women refuses to accept as members women of 56 years of age, though of perfectly sound health; that such refusal causes such women to be dismissed from their employment, as the employers would otherwise be liable to penalties; and how such women are to obtain insurance on reasonable terms and be enabled to work for wages?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo approved society may reject an applicant for membership on the ground of age, and the society concerned deny that they have ever rejected any applicant on this ground. If the hon. Member will let me know of any specific case m which it is alleged that this Statutory requirement has been contravened, I will have immediate inquiry made. In any case, the failure of an insured person to obtain admission to an approved society does not affect in any way the legal obligations of the employer; nor is there anything to prevent a person who has beer-rejected by a particular society from seeking admission to another of the numerous societies approved under the Insurance Acts. An insured person who fails to become a member of a society within the prescribed time becomes automatically a deposit contributor.