§ 13. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the need for a revision of the law relating to burglary and fire insurance in Scotland; and if he will set up a Committee to inquire into this need and make recommendations.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. R. Brooman-White)My right hon. Friend has heard no suggestions that this aspect of the law is unsatisfactory, but if the hon. and learned Gentleman will inform me of any difficulty that has come to his notice I shall be glad to consider it.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the hon. Gentleman realise that many people think that the doctrine of no-claim bonus should apply to burglary and fire insurance as it does to certain other forms of insurance? While insurance policies undoubtedly arise from a contract, there is no equality as between the insurance companies and the policy holders; the policy holders have to take it or leave it. Is he not aware that there is a great deal of discontent with the present situation in which the doctrine of no-claim bonus does not apply to burglary or fire insurance, especially in cases where policy holders have paid premiums over long periods without ever having a burglary or fire?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteWhen the Law Reform Committee last looked into insurance law in Scotland, it recommended that there was no need for further legislation on the subject.