§ 67. Major HUNTasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of the policies of the nineteen industrial assurance companies which were in force for two years before the War and which have been lapsed since the beginning of the War; and can he say how much had been paid in premiums on these policies and how much the policy-holders received in return?
Mr. ROBERTSThe particulars asked for are not included in the returns made under the Assurance Companies Act, and I am unable to furnish the information. The Courts (Emergency Powers) Act prevents the lapsing of such policies for amounts not exceeding £25 without the consent of the Court.
§ 77. Mr. PETOasked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether his attention has been called to cases of hardship in connection with lapsed policies of insurance of poor people who are unable to keep up their premiums, where the insurance company concerned give no surrender value for the policy, contrary to the provisions of the National Insurance Act; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Sir EDWIN CORNWALL (Comptroller of the Household)The life insurance policies issued by the industrial insurance companies, to which I understand the question to relate, do not come within the provisions of the National Insurance Acts, as my hon. Friend suggests.
§ Mr. PETOCannot the hon. Gentleman definitely tell us whether or not he proposes to take any steps to give these poor people any value for the insurance premiums they have paid for years on their lives?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLAny steps that may be taken in the direction indicated do not lie with my Department but with the Board of Trade.