(1) A member, or person claiming through a member, of a registered friendly society or branch, shall not be entitled to receive more than £15,000 by way of gross sum, together with any bonuses or additions declared upon assurances not exceeding that amount, or (except as provided by this Act) fifty-two pounds a year by way of annuity, from any one or more such societies or branches.
(2) Any such society or branch may require a member, or person claiming through a member, to make and sign a statutory declaration that the total amount to which that member or person is entitled from one or more such societies or branches does not exceed the sums aforesaid.