Mr. POINTER (for Mr. Ramsay Macdonald)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the provision in the new German Finance Bill which sets aside £200,000 to be distributed amongst the workers of the tobacco trade in compensation for the displacement of their labour caused by the new Tobacco Duties; whether he is aware that a temporary displacement of a serious character has taken place in this country owing to the proposed changes in the tobacco tariff; and whether he has considered if he can adopt the German plan and help the workpeople concerned to tide over the period of dislocation?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEMy right hon. Friend has no information as to the provision n question, nor is he aware that a serious displacement of employment has been caused in the tobacco trade by the proposed increase in the duties on tobacco. He does not see his way to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.