§ 39. Mr. COTTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state how many persons have been put out of employment in the manufacture of tobacco in Great Britain and Ireland since the Imperial Tobacco Combine was formed in 1901; whether the Imperial Tobacco Combine is a part or offshoot of the American Tobacco Trust, against which the Government of the United States is at present proceeding; how many of the directors of the Imperial Tobacco Combine directly represented the American trust; whether he is aware that the manfacture of roll tobacco is the principal part of the trade of the Irish tobacco manufacturers, and that roll tobacco is sold by the Imperial Tobacco Combine at a price which does not leave 3170 a living profit for manufacturers outside the trust; whether he is aware that the Imperial Tobacco Combine compels shopkeepers in Great Britain and Ireland to exhibit its goods and advertisements by depriving them of bonuses if they fail to comply; and whether the Government can see its way to take any steps to prevent such action on the part of the Imperial Tobacco Combine and its consequences?
Mr. ROBERTSONIf the hon. Member refers to the Imperial Tobacco Company (of Great Britain and Ireland), Limited, as the Imperial Tobacco Combine, the answer is that this company is not, so far as I am aware, an offshoot of the American Tobacco Trust, though it is in close business relations with it as regards trade outside of the United Kingdom and the United States. I have no definite information as to the other points raised in the question, and in any event my right hon. Friend does not, as at present advised, see what steps could properly be taken by His Majesty's Government in the matter to which the hon. Member refers.