§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have been held with the insurance industry in order to ensure appropriate mechanisms to ensure that service personnel are not disadvantaged in the housing market or in respect of life insurance and to ensure that they are compensated for any extra financial burden; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe Department keeps in close touch with the insurance industry through the Association of British Insurers and through insurance brokers with traditional links with the services.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received regarding incidents where members of the armed services, including individuals neither under orders nor on standby, have been asked to pay a surcharge or otherwise disadvantaged before being accepted for life insurance cover, due to the Gulf crisis.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonI understand that one letter has been received by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he will take to ensure that members of the armed services who are charged a surcharge in respect of life insurance due to the Gulf crisis, even when neither under orders nor on standby, are compensated for such additional costs.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonIt is not yet clear whether such steps are necessary, but we are keeping the matter under review.