First report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into Friendly and Benefit Building Societies ; together with minutes of evidence, appendix, and index.

  • Great Britain. Friendly and Benefit Building Societies Commission.
Date:
1871
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: First report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into Friendly and Benefit Building Societies ; together with minutes of evidence, appendix, and index. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    March to the 22nd June, both inclusive, to taking evidence upon Benefit Building Societies. A bill for amending the law respecting these societies has been laid before Parliament in each of the last two sessions, but the subject is one which has not as yet formed the ground of any authoritative inquiry, either parliamentary or official. We reserve foi- the present our conclusions, but have thought it right at once to submit to Your Majesty the evidence taken in reference to this branch of our inquiries. (Signed) STAFFORD H. NORTHCOTE. *M. E. HICKS-BEACH. S. H. WATEIILOW. J. BONHAM CARTER. E. M. EICHARDS. C. S. ROUNDELL. F. T. BIRCHAM. W. P. PATTISON. missioners. Our iuquiiy, which comprises Scotland and Irehmd, as well as England, covers so extensive a field, and its ramifications are so numerous and complicated, that we have no hesitation in saying that assistance of this kind is indispensable. The duties of the assistant commissioners would, we think, be of a twofold character. They would have to collect information from various quarters where it would be freely given, to digest it, and to submit it to the Commission. They would probably also have to investigate complaints, and to obtain evidence which would require to be very carefully sifted, and might in some cases be met with evasion, or opposition, which they would need authority to overcome. We are therefore of opinion that, while the majority of those who may be appointed may properly be selected from among gentlemen of general intelligence, possessing the qualifications necessary for acquiring information, and capable of putting it into a convenient shape, there ought to be amongst them at least two barristers or solicitors of standing and experience, accustomed to conduct the examination of witnesses, and that these gentlemen should be armed with (he same powers for the conduct of formal inquiries, as we have proposed should be given to ourselves. We make this suggestion, not only with a view to the employment of these gentlemen on inquiries in which Ave ourselves are unable to take part, but because we think it may often be of use that, when one or more of our own body, who may not have had the advantage of legal training, undertake the personal conduct of any difficult inquiry, an assistant commissioner should be available to render his aid. We are of opinion that we should be allowed six assistants in all, of whom two should, for the reasons already given, be barristers or solicitors of standing, and should be armed with the same powers as we have asked for ourselves. (Signed) Stafford H. Nokthcote, Chairman.