§ 9. Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Prudential Assurance Company have issued a circular to their agents instructing them to press for, and insist upon, the payment of industrial insurance premiums on a threat of the policy being lapsed; and whether, in view of the provisions in the Courts (Emergency Powers) 973 Act, any steps can be taken to safeguard the interests of industrial policy-holders?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir John Simon)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The circular referred to was issued before the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act was passed. It is most desirable, in the interests of the insured themselves, that premiums should be paid punctually and arrears avoided as far as possible, but the Act has been passed to secure special consideration for genuine cases of hardship due to the state of war, and the industrial insurance companies will, I have no doubt, co-operate to this end.