§ 35. Sir E. Bullusasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take immediate steps to set up a national emergency fund from which moneys can rapidly be drawn on the occasion of any national accident or disaster.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanNo, Sir. Despite its superficial attractions, successive Governments have concluded that this is not a practicable proposition.
§ Sir E. BullusWould my hon. Friend look at this question again, because many dependants of those who have suffered in national disasters must wait a long time before any moneys are forthcoming? If a national fund can be set up, even if only with a small initial amount, that would help those dependants who require help at once.
§ Mr. MacmillanI take that point, but I think that the resources which are available for immediate rescue are adequate. It does not require a national fund to deal with emergency action. When it comes to dealing with compensation, this is an attempt to insure the uninsurable. Where a disaster is insurable against, it creates very difficult problems as between those who have and those who have not insured themselves.