§ Sir G. Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the greatly increased cost of building, the Government will take steps whereby the owners of houses totally destroyed by enemy action will receive as compensation value payment under the War Damage Act an amount equal to the value of the house at the time of destruction instead of the March, 1939, value; and whether, in the case of owners of limited means, the Government will make provision for an immediate payment of the whole or part of such compensation.
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§ Sir J. AndersonA large number of totally destroyed houses will qualify for cost of works payments, that is, a payment of the reasonable cost of rebuilding when the work has been done. Where a value payment is to be made, assessment on the basis of the value at the time of destruction would tend to operate against owners in many areas of heavy damage and would be quite unfair as between one owner and another. With regard to the second part of the Question, I understand my hon. and learned Friend to have in mind owners formerly living on the rents derived from the properties concerned. While I sympathise with them in their difficulties, many other persons and classes of persons have sustained serious losses of income owing to the war, and I regret that I cannot take the course suggested.
§ Mr. R. Morganasked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department refuses to admit claims for compensation for insurance of private chattels unless the premiums are paid on the due date without a day's delay however hard the circumstances of the case; why his Department do not give a month's cover which is sanctioned by all reputable insurance companies; and how many claims under the private chattels insurance have been rejected on the ground of unpaid premiums.
§ Mr. DaltonMy hon. Friend is misinformed. A period of twenty-one days grace is allowed for the payment of premium from the date of expiry of the old policy in the case of renewals, and from the date of receipt of the application in the case of new insurances.
§ Mr. Craven-Ellisasked the President of the Board of Trade if consideration will be given to extending the period of insurance to the end of this year without extra cover in the case of the private chattels scheme in the same way as such consideration has been given to the business chattels scheme.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. The circumstances of the two schemes are not comparable. Insurance under the private chattels scheme is voluntary and the policies run for twelve months. The great majority of existing policies provide cover beyond the end of the year.