§ 26. Mr. Brockwayasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will introduce legislation to enable him to initiate schemes for providing compensation for the relief of residents in areas affected by flooding.
§ Mr. CorfieldNo, Sir. Insurance cover against flood has been readily available at modest cost since the severe floods of 1004 1961, and my right hon. Friend sees no need for legislation.
§ Mr. BrockwayIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in Slough, because of the overflowing of two lakes in a neighbouring area, there has been widespread flooding, with the destruction of carpets, clothes, bedding and everything else? Is there not some means of granting compensation in such cases, and would the Parliamentary Secretary consider applying it to the Slough cases?
§ Mr. CorfieldOf course, the precedent is before the floods to which I have referred, and before insurance companies were generally able to afford the cover I mentioned. But what the hon. Member is asking is that those taxpayers and ratepayers who insure their own goods should be required to step in for other people who do not, and I do not really think that that is a very strong case.
§ Mr. BrockwayBut is it not the fact that this kind of act of God, which is entirely unexpected, is not something that is insurable?
§ Mr. CorfieldNo, that is not so.