HC Deb 12 May 1925 vol 183 cc1675-7
57. Mr. T. THOMSON

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that a number of lapsed policies will lose the protection of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act after the 7th June next; and will he take steps to ensure that the industrial assurance companies notify their policyholders of the necessity of sending in their claims before that date?

58. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered the position of policyholders of industrial assurance policies at present protected by the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act; if he is aware that, unless money due under these policies, of which the amount is believed to be very large in total, is claimed by 7th June, 1925, it will automatically become the property of the insurance companies; and whether he is taking or proposing to take any steps in the matter?

59. Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he ls aware that claims due to poor people from industrial assurance companies under the Courts (Emergency Powers) Acts must be submitted by the 7th day of June, 1925; and what steps he is taking to make this fact widely known to the poor people concerned?

Mr. GUINNESS:

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for West Middlesbrough (Mr. T, Thomson) on the 10th March, of which I am sending them each a copy

Mr. THOMSON:

Arising out of the reply to which the right hon. Gentleman refers, would he further consider whether the Treasury could not make announcements themselves in the Press as to the Emergency Powers Act ceasing early next month, in order that these very poor people shall not lose large sums of money?

Mr. GUINNESS:

I do not know if the hon. Member is aware that the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, who is the Commissioner under the Act, has already issued instructions for publication in the local Press, and has taken further steps to draw the attention of those concerned to the necessity of sending in their claims

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that nearly £5,000,000 is here involved, most of which would go to poor people if they were aware of it, and that, if they are not aware of it, and do not make application for it by the 7th June this year, they will lose it and the assurance companies will get the lot?

Mr. GUINNESS:

I quite agree as to the necessity that these poor people should know their rights, but this matter was considered when the Industrial Assurance Act was passed, and it was decided by Parliament that the best way of drawing their attention to their rights was to leave the details of the arrangements to the Commissioner under the Act, namely, the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, who has carried out his duties.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

In order to meet special cases, is there any reason why these assurance companies should not be required to notify these people themselves of their rights, seeing that, as their agents call once a week to collect premiums, it could quite easily be done?

Mr. GUINNESS

I believe that that was discussed when the Bill went through Parliament, and the Chief Registrar has laid upon these companies the obligation of seeing, not only that their agents put up posters in their offices referring to this matter, but that they draw the attention of those assured to their rights.

Mr. KIRKWO0D

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is mostly poor people who subscribe to these societies, and they do not go near the offices, so that it would be of no use to put up bills, but the Government have the power, if they care to exercise it, to get the assurance companies to notify every one of the individuals concerned?

Mr. MACQUISTEN:

Why should these companies be allowed to do the same thing for which Horatio Bottomley got into trouble?