We believe, at the same time, that it provides safeguards for individual members which are also of the very greatest possible significance.

These safeguards are all the more important in view of the provision in the Bill that mergers and amalgamations can be undertaken on a simple vote rather than on the rather complicated voting structure which we have had up to the present time. It is also appropriate that the safeguards are carried out under the auspices of the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies.

trade union mergers can be effected in two ways: first, by one union transferring its engagements to another. This is the process normally followed.