§ Major NEWTONasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of having a fixed premium covering all risk from hostile attack, whether from the sea or air, so that owners of property on the East Coast may no longer be compelled, merely in consequence of their geographical position, to pay an extra premium as compared with owners of other property; whether the present rate of insurance against damage from the air is ample to cover all war risks; and whether arrangements can be made for these policies to be renewable quarterly at a proportionate premium, failing which will he announce that in the event of the risk ceasing during the currency of a yearly premium a proportionate return of premium will be made?
Mr. HARCOURTThe Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I fear it would not be possible to abolish the distinction between the two kinds of policies provided by the Government scheme, or to say with any confidence at this stage whether a lower rate would or would not cover all risks. I am advised that the issue of quarterly policies, except as provided in the scheme, would be open to serious practical objections, and that it would not be possible now to give any undertaking as to return of premium.