§ 2. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the number of insurances effected by foreigners in British insurance offices; whether he has noted recent discussions at home and abroad concerning dangers to policies on foreign risks in the event of European hostilities and the tendency growing out of such discussions to insure elsewhere risks formerly covered in British offices; and whether he is considering such changes in international relations as would counteract this tendency with a view to proposals being brought before the next Hague Conference?
§ Sir E. GREYI have seen newspaper references to this subject, but I am not aware that there is, to any appreciable extent, a growing tendency to insure elsewhere risks formerly covered in British offices. There appears to be no occasion for His Majesty's Government bringing proposals before a Conference at The Hague. I fail to understand how a tendency such as my hon. Friend describes even if it existed, would be affected by a change in our international relations.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire through our Consuls whether there is such a tendency to remove the insurance risks from this country to others? If he got the facts, might he not then be in a position to do something and take up a strong position?
§ Sir E. GREYI do not see what can be done or how a strong position is going to affect the question of insurance.