Article 5

The Friendly Societies Act 1955 (c. 19)

1. Section 6 of the Friendly Societies Act 1955 (extension of powers in connection with sickness benefits) is repealed.

The Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951 (c. 65)

2.

(1) Section 54 of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951 (protection of life policies (industrial assurance and collecting societies)) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), in paragraph (b) after "policies of assurance upon human life effected" insert "before 1st December 2001".

(3) After subsection (1) insert -

"(1A) In subsection (1), "collecting society" means a friendly society which, at the time when the policy in question was effected, carried on industrial assurance business within the meaning of section 1 of the Industrial Assurance Act 1923.".

(4) In subsection (9) -

(a) for "An appeal shall lie to the Commissioner from" substitute "A complaint may be made to the ombudsman scheme in relation to";

(b) for "where the Commissioner allows an appeal" substitute "where an ombudsman determines a complaint in favour of the complainant"; and

(c) for the second paragraph of that subsection substitute -