Letters and Papers Concerning the Trans-Persian Railway and Other Railways in Persia [‎131r] (261/442)

1883
Oral Answers. 10 July 1912 Oral Answers. 1884
was first registered; whether it has any
connection with the London and Provincial
Assurance Company, Limited; if it has,
whether the official approval of it will be
suspended pending further investigation of
the character and management of the
latter body? (37) When the London and
Provincial Approved Society was first re
gistered ; when it became officially
approved under the National Insurance
Act; why the Registrar of Friendly Socie
ties allowed it to be registered under a
name which was untrue and misleading at
the date of registration; whether the In
surance Commissioners before approving
it had before them the identity of manage
ment of the London and Provincial Assur
ance Company, Limited, of which this
society is an offshoot, with the Irish Pro
vident Assurance Company, now in com
pulsory liquidation, and the revelations at
the trial of the directors, now in progress
in Dublin; whether he is aware that some
500,000 poor persons in Ireland have lost
their savings through those directors; and
whether the official approval of this self-
styled approved society will be cancelled,
or at least suspended, pending the result
of the trial mentioned?
Mr. MASTER MAN : In approving socie
ties the Insurance Commissioners would
certainly take into consideration any alle
gations such as those suggested in these
questions. If hon. Members can inform me
of any definite and specific instances of
offences in connection with the promoters
of any approved society, I will immediately
have inquiries made.
Mr. G! N N ELL : Has the right hon. Gen
tleman considered and tested the allega
tions in Question 36?
Mr. MASTERMAN : No, but if there is
anything which the hon. Member wishes to
communicate to me I will have inquiries
made, and he will get an answer if he puts
a question later on.
Mr. GINNELL: Are the duties of the
registrar of friendly societies exclusively
mechanical, or is he bound by his position
to facilitate this plan for obtaining money
by false pretences?
Mr. MASTERMAN : His duty is to
register duly qualified friendly societies
under the provisions of the Act.
Mr. GINNELL: Even though they have
a name, which is, on the face of it, a false
pretence, is he bound to register it ?
38. Mr. JOWETT asked the right hon.
Gentleman if he is aware that complaints
are being made by the employes of
Messrs. Croft and Perkins, engineers and
ironfounders, of Bradford, that their
employers are questioning each employe
of the firm to ascertain whether he is a
member of an approved society, and, if
so, which; and if he will look into the
matter and deal with it without delay?
Mr. MASTERMAN : I have no previous
information with regard to this case, but
I will communicate with the company.
Answers to Letters.
39. Mr. WILLIAM PEEL asked whether
the National Insurance Commissioners are
prepared to answer letters from persons
anxious to carry the law' into effect who
wish to obtain advice and information on
points connected with the v/orking of the
Act?
Mr. MASTERMAN: Persons desiring
information about the Act are in the first
instance directed to obtain it by applica
tion to> the local Customs and Excise
officers (who are usually the pension
officers). The Commissioners have, how
ever, a substantial correspondence in
which they are giving assistance to bond
fide inquirers, and have no objection to
receiving letters direct at their offices.
Mr. PEEL: Is the right hon. Gentleman
aware that letters asking as to specific
points about the working of the Act are
not answered for at least ten days, and are
not even acknowdedged ?
Mr. MASTERMAN : I do not think that
that is the case. If the hon. Gentleman
wdll give me a special instance, I will have
inquiries made.
Mr. PEEL: Does the right hon. Gentle
man realise that local Customs and Excise
officers sometimes will not visit a place for
a week or more? What is to happen in
such cases ?
Mr. MASTERMAN: If the hon. Gentle
man thinks that he can suggest any further
means of spreading information, I will
gladly consider it.
Medical Attendance (Payments).
40. Mr. W. PEEL asked whether the in
sured persons to whom the 6s. may be
given in lieu of medical attendance, in the
event of the Government being unable to
come to an agreement with the doctors,
will be expected to form benefit societies