HC Deb 14 June 1938 vol 337 cc35-6
50. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with a view to allaying the anxiety of merchants who normally maintain substantial stocks of essential foodstuffs, the Government will consider including these merchants in their plans for insurance against air raid damage?

Sir J. Simon

As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has explained in answer to a number of questions in the House, the Government do not think that air raid damage to property on land in this country is an appropriate subject for insurance, but such preparatory work as can usefully be undertaken in time of peace to facilitate the operation of a scheme of compensation, if its application should be decided upon, is well in hand. The position in this respect of traders in essential foodstuffs has not been overlooked.

Mr. De la Bère

Will my right hon. Friend give this matter further consideration in view of the importance of getting these traders to co-operate?

Sir J. Simon

I can assure my hon. Friend that we are giving it very close consideration.

Mr. Kirkwood

If the Government are considering compensation for damage to property as the result of air raids, will they make provision for the loss of life and of breadwinners that may happen as the result of air raids?

Sir J. Simon

The hon. Gentleman perhaps did not hear my reply in which I said that I did not think that property insurance was an appropriate method. On the other hand, I made no limit as to the scheme of compensation.

Captain Sir William Brass

Do I understand from the reply that the position which the Government take to-day is different from the position taken up by the Government during the War, when special arrangements were made for air-raid insurance?

Sir J. Simon

My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that the conditions to-day are very different.