§ Lieut.-Colonel NALLasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the recommendation to charge a fee of 10s. on the returns of friendly societies would fall most unfairly on societies with many branches as compared with centralised societies; and whether there is any precedent for demanding a fee when calling for a compulsory return?
Mr. YOUNGI have been asked to reply. As I have already stated, the imposition of a fee is under consideration. In reply to the first part of the question, the work done by the Friendly Societies Registry in dealing with a branch return is normally as great as that involved in dealing with a society return, and, in fact, many branches are larger and wealthier than many independent societies. As to the last part of the question, the answer is "Yes." The annual return of joint stock companies is compulsory, but a fee has to be paid on it.
§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received any protest from friendly societies with reference to the proposal 1815W made by the Committee on National Expenditure to make a charge of 10s. for registering the annual returns of each branch of these societies; and whether, as this proposal trespasses upon the privileges conferred by the Friendly Societies Act, he can give any assurance that the proposal will not be put into effect?
Mr. YOUNGI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply to the questions put by the hon. Member for West Houghton (Mr. Rhys Davies) and the hon. Member for Clitheroe (Mr. Alfred Davies) on the 9th instant.