Lieutenant-Commander Braithwaiteasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the procedure of certain insurance companies in making charges for late payment of premiums in the case of clients serving in His Majesty's Forces; and whether, in view of the fact that many of these are due to sudden changes of location and mail difficulties inseparable from active service conditions, he will take steps to prevent the continuance of this practice?
§ Mr. DaltonI am aware that it is customary for life assurance offices to make a small charge when a premium is not paid within the period of grace allowed for payment. This period is usually sufficient to cover the circumstances mentioned in the Question, provided that the insured has made reasonable arrangements, beforehand to meet his recurring liabilities. Premiums are computed on the assumption that they will be paid as they fall due, and I have no power to require any modification of the conditions attaching to them; but I will examine any evidence of hardship in individual cases which my hon. and gallant Friend may care to submit to me.