HC Deb 04 May 1937 vol 323 cc958-9
34. Mr. Brocklebank

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make any statement is regard to the insurance of property in this country against war risks on land?

Mr. Runciman

After a careful review of all the circumstances the Government have reached the conclusion that no scheme of insurance of property in this country against war risks on land would be appropriate to the conditions of a future war so far as they can be foreseen to-day. In the opinion of the Government the most effective form of protection against air-raid risks lies in the effective prosecution of their present programme of rearmament. If, however, the conditions arise which any scheme of insurance would be designed to meet, it will be for the Government of the day to consider making to owners, whose property had suffered damage, such compensation as may be possible at that time.

Mr. R. J. Taylor

Would not the best form of insurance for the people of this country be to get rid of the present Government?