§ 61. Mr. Silkinasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is considerable delay in releasing stocks of goods damaged by enemy action belonging to traders because such goods have to be inspected to 1583 assess the amount of damage for the purpose of compensation; that this delay is causing further deterioration in these stocks; and whether he will devise some machinery for the purpose of releasing such stocks without delay?
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Major Lloyd George)I am grateful to the hon. Member for affording me a further opportunity of correcting the mistaken notion that after goods insured under the Commodity Scheme have been damaged the policy holder must wait until an assessor comes along before taking salvage measures. All policy holders have been instructed that, in the event of damage to insured goods, it is their duty to take all reasonable steps necessary to prevent further loss or damage and if it is necessary for this purpose to remove the goods to a place of safety, the expenses of removal will be allowed without assessment before-hand.
§ Mr. SilkinIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there was a statement in the Press recently which referred to foodstuffs but that nothing whatever was said about other material? Could he make it quite clear that his statement applies to all kinds of salvaged goods?
Major Lloyd GeorgeIf the hon. Gentleman had seen the full statement made on this very question, he would have found that it dealt with all commodities, but if there is any doubt, I will take steps to see that the position is made quite clear.
§ Mr. SilkinWould the hon. and gallant Gentleman communicate with the London Region, because they are under the impression that when clearing debris they must leave these stocks standing?
Major Lloyd GeorgeIf that is the case I am quite prepared to see that the matter is made clear to them.