§ 13. Mr. Pounderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many letters he has received from people in Northern Ireland who have been refused renewal of their property insurance by insurance companies; and whether he will take steps to help those who are unable to obtain renewal of property insurance.
§ Mr. David HowellNone. The Northern Ireland Ministry of Commerce is aware of six cases in which for a variety of reasons firms or individuals have been unable to obtain cover. The Ministry is prepared to offer guidance in individual cases which are brought to its notice.
§ Mr. PounderI thank my hon. Friend for that reply, but, bearing in mind that firms have been refused renewal of their property insurance, and that there may be other cases that have not come to his notice, will he consider the creation, under the auspices of the Ministry of Commerce, of some form of emergency insurance scheme to help those who have 736 suffered sorely through terrorism to stay in business and to get the necessary insurance cover?
§ Mr. HowellSuch a scheme already exists for firms directly hit by terrorist damage. We make every effort at the Ministry of Commerce to provide every conceivable help for firms in difficulty. We have notice of six individual cases. If my hon. Friend has details of any others, I shall be grateful if he will bring them to me.