§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have taken advantage of the block insurance scheme to enable residents in high crime areas to obtain insurance; what steps his Department is taking to encourage more local authorities to establish block insurance schemes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI understand that more than 100 local authorities take advantage of block insurance schemes to offer their tenants insurance cover, although the schemes are not necessarily related to the prevalance of crime in the area.
The standing conference on crime prevention working group on the costs of crime, which reported in December 1988, touched on the value of block insurance and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State subsequently brought the report to the attention of the Association of British Insurers. My officials have also been in touch with the Housing Corporation and the Insurance Service for Housing Associations. It is for local authorities to decide whether to establish schemes for their tenants.