HC Deb 11 February 1937 vol 320 cc605-6W
Sir A. Wilson

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the last-published list of approved societies relates to the year 1930; and whether he will consider issuing it annually in future as a Parliamentary paper available to Members free on application and not, as at present, on payment?

Sir K. Wood

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A new list of approved societies is already in course of preparation. It has not been found necessary to issue this list at intervals of less than five years as the changes from year to year are relatively unimportant. I will see that a copy of the list is available for reference in the Library of the House.

Sir A. Wilson

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the possibility of issuing a list of approved societies showing the number of members of each society or actuarially independent branch, and what benefits are admissible in each case, in order that members in making a choice of the society they wish to join may have disinterested and other than verbal guidance on the subject?

Sir K. Wood

My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that the additional benefits provided by approved societies and branches are subject to modification at any time and I feel that it would be difficult to justify the labour and expense which would be involved in trying to maintain a correct up-to-date list containing all the information suggested for each of the 6,500 societies and branches.