asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has now completed his inquiries into the insurance of Government-owned commodities; and what arrangements have been made for the current year.

As regards marine insurance, arrangements to insure are continuing to the end of the year. As regards fire insurance, present arrangements expire at the end of March, and the matter is still under consideration.

Will very serious consideration be given, before the end of the year, to the termination of these contracts, since there is no longer any reason why the State should subsidise private insurance interests? It is high time that this waste of public money came to an end.

I have nothing to add to my answer.