HC Deb 04 February 1938 vol 331 cc554-5W
Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the decision of insurance companies not to accept premiums against damage to property by a foreign enemy; whether he has considered resolutions submitted by local authorities asking the Government to undertake this form of insurance; and, if so, what decision, if any, has been reached?

Mr. Stanley

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 1st February to the hon. Member for Ilford (Mr. Hutchinson).

Mr. Goldie

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that owners of leasehold property who, in compliance with covenants entered into with their ground landlords, have hitherto insured their property against fire, however caused, with insurance companies specified in such covenants, have recently been deprived of all protection against fire caused by aerial bombardment through the refusal of such insurance companies to accept such risk in future; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to relieve the owners of leasehold property from their liability to their ground landlords in respect of such uninsurable risk or, as an alternative, will inaugurate a scheme of State insurance against the risk of fire caused by aerial bombardment?

Mr. Stanley

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answers which I gave on the 1st February to the hon. Members for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor) and Ilford (Mr. Hutchinson).