Mr. Kevin Thompson:

I cannot comment on that. All I can say is that the premiums, regardless of whether it is motor insurance, employers' liability insurance or public liability insurance, are a function of claims. The driving pricing factor for any insurer is the cost of claims. As we know from the submissions provided by the Courts Service and the PIAB, the cost of claims is increasing as are the associated costs for the claims such as medical costs but, more importantly, the legal costs. Insurers will seek to charge an adequate premium to cover the cost with the predominant cost being the cost of claims. I am not aware of the activity highlighted by the Deputy. In some ways, insurance is quite a simple model. We have to take in enough premiums to pay the costs.