HC Deb 24 June 1941 vol 372 cc958-60W
Sir H. Williams

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of claims in respect of which payments have been made in respect of property under the War Damage Act; and the aggregate sum so far paid?

Sir K. Wood

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Chatham (Captain Plugge) on 19th June.

Sir R. Tasker

asked the President of the Board of Trade why a person may insure furniture in his residence for 12 months, but, by order of the Board of Trade, may not insure the furniture in his office for a longer period than two months; why he requires a person to pay six premiums per annum on furniture used for business purposes; and is he aware that the same premium is demanded for two months for furniture used in an office as that demanded for 12 months' insurance in a private residence?

Mr. Lyttelton

The business and private chattels schemes differ fundamentally. The business scheme applies to movable plant and machinery and business equipment; insurance under it is compulsory if the goods owned exceed £1,000 in value; there is no free compensation. The premium is £1 10s. per cent. to cover the whole period from 3rd September, 1939, until 30th September, 1941, but in order to spread the charge it is collected - in three instalments of 10s. each. The private chattels scheme relates to privately owned furniture, clothing and the like; insurance under the scheme is voluntary; there is a certain amount of free cover, above which the rate of premium is graded; and policies are valid for one year from the date of issue.

Mr. Rostron Duckworth

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that victims of enemy action who have suffered prior to the coming into force of the War Damage Act have still not been able to secure repair of damaged personal chattels; and whether he will give an assurance that in this case estimates are accepted without prejudice either to the amount of the claim or the delayed date of its presentation?

Mr. Lyttelton

I have been asked to reply. The amount payable under the private chattels scheme is the diminution caused by war damage in the value of the property affected at the time of the damage, and this amount is subject to further limitations in respect of single articles or certain classes of articles. The proper assessment of damage does not depend on the ability to secure repairs, but I should be glad if my hon. Friend would send me particulars of any case or cases he has in mind so that I may have them investigated.