76. Mr. NUGENTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the stock of raw tobacco at present in bond in this country is equal to only one year and four months' consumption at the pesent rate; that raw tobacco being an article which matures in bond the usual stock carried in the pre-war period was about two years; that of the present stock in bond a large proportion has been imported for the use of His Majesty's Forces, and is not available for the use of home-trade manufacturers in Ireland or any part of the United Kingdom; that the business of many old-established tobacco manufacturers is in consequence placed in jeopardy 428 and some have already been forced to close down; and whether, in these circumstances, he will grant to the importers of raw tobacco licences to bring in 50 per cent. or 66 per cent. of their imports of 1915, the standard year, so that the markets of the United Kingdom, on which such manufacturers depend, may be supplied before the present crop is sold abroad for consumption in foreign countries?
Mr. ROBERTSI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Abereromby Division of Liverpool, which was printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT for Monday last.
Mr. NUGENTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many small manufacturers in Ireland have been crushed out?
Mr. ROBERTSI have no information of that fact. The whole subject is under consideration. It is mainly a question of tonnage.