§ 2. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to make natural disasters and aircraft accidents a public responsibility covered by Government insurance of both property damage and personal injury.
§ The Minister of State, Treasury (Mr. William Rodgers)No, Sir. Mr. Roberts: Would my hon. Friend not accept that a large number of Luton industrial workers and ratepayers have laid stress on the need to provide some kind of foolproof guarantee to the man-in-the-street against aircraft accidents? Will he accept, in view of the minimal cost to the Exchequer of aircraft accidents and the low level of their incidence, that it would be far better if these needs were anticipated than to create an ad hoc fund when they happen?
Mr. RodgersI entirely appreciate my hon. Friend's concern for the electors of Luton, but I think the present arrangements for insurance, certainly absolute and unlimited liability in the case of aircraft operators, are adequate.