§ 55. Mr. Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Scottish farmers consider the com pulsory insurance scheme against war risks to be impossible and financially disastrous for farmers, and that they desire that the scheme should be made voluntary; and will he take steps o meet this demand?
§ Mr. ColvilleI am aware that dissatisfaction with the scheme in its original form was expressed by the National Farmers' Union and Chamber of Agriculture of Scotland. The hon. Member will be aware, however, that it has been announced that certain important agricultural products are now to be excluded from the scope of the War Risks Insurance Act. Insurance for those products not covered by the exemption will be compulsory only if their total value on the farm at any one time exceeds £1,000.