§ 60. Mr. Snaddenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the answer given by him to the hon. Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Loftus) on 12th May, 1942, the Government will take steps to refund the appropriate proportion of the contributions under the War Damage Act, 1941, paid by those farmers who insured for more than twice the annual value of their farms in the belief that, in terms of Section 80 of the Act, they were covered for all damage arising from enemy action, including invasion, or action such as the application of the scorched earth policy, taken with the object of combating the enemy?
§ Captain WaterhouseNo, Sir. There has been no alteration in the provisions of the War Damage Act. The farming policy is a first loss policy, and any farmer who desires more than the statutory minimum cover can voluntarily insure for a greater amount, but the risks against which farmers in common with other traders insure under the Act are, and have always been, those specified in Section 80 of the Act.
§ Mr. SnaddenDoes Section 80 of the Act not cover damage arising out of enemy action? Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that when agricultural land was insured by farmers for twice its Schedule A value it was because they believed they were covering themselves from risks arising out of invasion, the scorched earth policy, or any other war eventuality?
§ Captain WaterhouseI am advised that Section 80 covers only damage directly due to enemy action,
§ Mr. SnaddenWhat is that damage?
§ Captain WaterhouseThe sort of damage you get if a bomb falls on your house.