§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the large number of protest resolutions from the whole of the friendly society organisations against the Geddes Committee suggestion to impose a 10s. tax in connection with returns to the registry office; and whether, in view of the unfair basis of the suggestion, he can give an assurance that the Government has no intention of putting the same into effect?
Mr. YOUNGA number of protests have been received. As regards the 999W second part of the question, I am not yet in a position to add anything to previous replies on this subject.
§ Mr. HURDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can announce his decision now in regard to the suggested imposition of a fee of 10s. for annual returns made by friendly societies to the chief registrar; and, particularly, what consideration is to be given to those societies having numerous branch lodges, in order to deal equitably with them?
Mr. YOUNGThe answer is in the negative. A deputation representative of the interests concerned will shortly be received, and full consideration will be given to the representations submitted before a final decision is taken.