§ Mr. De Chairasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that farmers in Norfolk reception areas where risk of war damage is said by the Government to be slight, are being required to insure their farm produce at the rate of £23 12s. 6d. on a valuation of £1,575 for three months, which is equivalent to approximately 7 per cent. per annum premium on their produce; and as they cannot afford to meet this charge will he take steps to remedy the position?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithSteps have already been taken by the War Risks Insurance(General Exceptions) Order, which was made on 22nd September, to exclude certain agricultural products from the scope of the War Risks Insurance Act. The products exempted are growing crops, plants and trees, livestock, and in relation to a person carrying on the business of producing agricultural products for sale, crops produced by such a person when on land occupied by him in the course of such business. None of these products will be insurable either compulsorily or voluntarily.
For products not covered by this exemption insurance will only be com- 1359W pulsory if their total value on the farm at any one time exceeds £1,000. In the contrary case it will be optional. I think this will meet the case to which my hon. Friend calls attention.