§ 14. Mr. HINDSasked the total amount paid in claims for damages in respect to insurances against enemy aircraft; and what was the total amount received in premiums?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe total amount paid in claims for damage, under the Aircraft and Bombardment Insurance Scheme, up to 30th June, 1920, was £3,183,200, and the amount received in premiums (less refunds, stamp duty on policies, and commission allowed to insurance companies) was £14,070,400.
§ Mr. BILLINGCould the right hon. Gentleman not see his way, out of the £1,000,000 clear profit made, to meet some of the hard cases which did not come within the scope of the insurance?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe Chancellor of the Exchequer has already indicated the provision he is making for the hard cases to which the hon. Member refers.
§ 15. Mr. HINDSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Insurance Department against Enemy Aircraft has been wound up; and whether all claims have been settled?
§ Sir R. HORNEIt has not yet been possible to wind up the business connected with the Aircraft and Bombardment Insurance Scheme. A small staff is still engaged, chiefly in completing the inspection and audit of the accounts of insurance companies acting as agents for the Government under the scheme and in dealing with claims of which a small number has, for various reasons, not been finally settled.
§ Sir R. HORNEI am speaking from memory, but I think it is fifteen in all.
Sir F. HALLIs it necessary to keep fifteen men on the work of winding up the Claims Department eighteen months after all the damage was done?
§ Sir R. HORNEIt may seem extraordinary to my hon. Friend, but in point of fact some of the claims have been received only in the last few weeks, and we must have someone to deal with them.
§ Sir R. HORNEI am told that they cannot. If the hon. Gentleman will make it sure that everyone will put in claims at the proper time, then undoubtedly we could have it wound up, but we gave an extension of time and waived some of the objections in regard to claims, and only now some of the claims are actually being put forward.