HC Deb 06 March 1928 vol 214 cc970-1
52. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKE

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been drawn to the loss suffered by many poor people through industrial assurance policies lapsing; and whether he will consider the advisability of introducing some form of legislation to prevent this?

Mr. SAMUEL

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday to the hon. Member for the Plaistow Division (Mr. W. Thorne).

Mr. CROOKE

Is the hon. Member aware that when Section 24 of the Act, to which he referred in his reply yesterday, comes into operation in June next, it will not give the desired protection to these poor policy holders?

Mr. SAMUEL

I am not aware of that fact at all. We must wait until June and see how it does operate.

Captain GARRO-JONES

Has the hon. Member taken any steps to inform himself of the enormous loss suffered by poor people in connection with the policies entered into by them which are never valid, because there is no insurable interest, but which nevertheless were accepted by the insurance companies concerned?

Mr. SAMUEL

That is quite another question.