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film. We accept the contention of the Fire Insurance issociation that in the strictest sense the observance of the regulations is no concern of theirs but rests with the owners and godown-keepers, but we consider that in their own interests a realignment of their classification might
be of advantage.
80. The classification above applies only to premises in non-Chinese
ownership. Premises in Chinese ownership have a different tariff, The
premium rate here depends on whether the godown is to be used for the
storage of goods not excluded by a special warranty. A list of these
goods is also shown in Appendix 4, and it will be seen to be a simplified combination of the "hazardous/extra-hazardous" classification used for
European-owned places of storage and is referred to in the Appendix as
"Chinese Hazardous". It suffers from the same shortcomings as the list
of extra-hazardous goods. In addition to this simple dual classification
of places of storage, there is a further classification into premises
not used for domestic purposes or premises partially used for domestic
purposes. The highest premium is charged for storage "without warranty"
in the latter class of premises. As the storage of many of the goods
excluded by the warranty in premises partially used for domestic pur-
poses is absolutely prohibited by the Dangerous Goods Regulations, the
acceptance of insurance in these cases might be construed as encourag-
ing breaches of the law. We recommend that the Fire Insurance Assoc-
iation, of which we understand the vast majority of companies engaged
in this class of business are members, should recommend to its members
that they refuse to quote a rate of insurance for storage without war-
ranty in premises partially used for domestic purposes. We consider
that the provision of a legal requirement to this effect is not a prac-
tical proposition. We realise that refusal to grant insurance cover
will not prevent storage of dangerous goods in buildings partially used
for domestic purposes, but it would go a long way towards making it
less attractive.
81. We understand that the Fire Insurance Association is now examining
its dual system of tariffs for Chinese and non-Chinese owned places of
storage, with a view to producing a unified tariff. We consider that