asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the statement of accounts for the year 1928 of the Workmen's Benefit Building Society has been furnished to the Department of Industry and Commerce, and, if so, whether, in view of the evident unsatisfactory financial position of the society as revealed by the balance-sheet, the Minister has taken or proposed to take any steps towards holding an inquiry into the affairs of the society, and into the manner in which it is being managed.

The Workmen's Benefit Building Society has filed with the Registrar of Friendly Societies in respect of the year 1928 the Annual Return required by the Building Society's Acts. The Registrar's power to hold an inquiry into the affairs of the society is contingent on an application to that end being made by the members of the society. No such request has been received.