§ 64. Major WHELERasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade the grounds on which it is said to be not practicable to make refunds to those public bodies of the insurance premiums against hostile aircraft which were paid shortly before the Armistice on 11th November?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIt is estimated that there were about 2,500,000 policies in force at the date of the Armistice, and it would need a separate calculation in each case to determine what is the proper amount to be returned. The scheme is worked almost entirely through the fire insurance companies, who have not the staff to do the work involved in the refunds. For these reasons the Aircraft Insurance Committee came to the conclusion that it was impracticable to make a general refund of premiums, and no special exceptions can be made.
§ Major WHELERIs it not a fact that considerable profit was made, and could not some refund be made?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe Government have made a considerable amount out of this, but they have had to pay for aircraft defence.
An HON. MEMBERIs it not possible out of these profits to make refunds to those people who have had their property destroyed by aircraft prior to the date on which their policy was put into force?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI must have notice of that question.