asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that many manufacturers and merchants are desirous of laying in reserve stocks of essential commodities to meet serious eventualities, but are precluded from doing so owing to their inability to get any cover in the form of war risk insurance; and if he will seriously consider this position with a view to inaugurating a scheme of State-controlled or State-aided insurance against war risks for such stocks as may be stored within the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Essential Commodities and War Risks.
I have not had definite evidence that manufacturers and merchants desiring to buy reserve stocks have been precluded from doing so owing to inability to get insurance cover against war risks, but recently the Federation of Irish Manufactures has suggested that this danger exists. I have asked the Federation, in consultation with the Chambers of Commerce or other interested bodies, to consider what scheme of commodity insurance would, in their judgement, be best in present circumstances. I have promised to give careful consideration to any such proposal.