HC Deb 09 May 1939 vol 347 cc262-4
8. Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amounts of the tobacco exported by Greece and of the tobacco imported from all sources by the tobacco firms in this country?

Mr. Stanley

During the last three years the quantity of leaf tobacco exported from Greece averaged 96,000,000 lbs. per annum; the corresponding figure for the total quantity of unmanufactured tobacco imported into the United Kingdom from all sources is 295,000,000 lbs. per annum.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Would it not be possible and reasonable for the British tobacco firms to buy more of the Greek tobacco crop, and so enable Greece very largely to escape from her economic subjugation to Germany?

Mr. Stanley

The possibility of increasing the imports of these oriental tobaccos is being examined in detail, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman will realise that the difficulties are very considerable. It depends to a large extent upon public taste in this country as to the kind of tobacco they want to smoke. We are not yet a totalitarian country which can force people to smoke the tobacco we want them to smoke.

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

Is it not the case that the total export of tobacco from Greece only amounts to some 1 per cent. of the tobacco used by the British Tobacco firms, and, therefore, could not affect the quality or taste of tobacco in any way; and will he consider making some representations to the British tobacco firms on this matter?

Mr. Stanley

I said that the possibility of increasing these imports is being considered, but the difficulties are very great.

Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte

Is it not advisable to buy more tobacco from the Dominions?

Sir John Wardlaw-Milne

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Imperial Economic Committee, in their tobacco report, unfortunately, on all the evidence put before them, came to the conclusion that, faced with the cigarette smoking in this country, it might be impossible to increase the amount even of Empire tobacco which they were very anxious to do, and that nothing could be done in that direction?

Lieut.-Commander Fletcher

The matter is only one of 1 per cent. of all the tobacco used here.

11. Mr. Price

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the importance of preventing Greece and Turkey from becoming too dependent on trade with certain states, he will consider whether arrangements can be made for British tobacco companies to take a small portion of their requirements from these two countries?

Mr. Stanley

The possibility of increasing United Kingdom imports of oriental tobacco is being examined in detail, but the difficulties are very considerable.

Mr. Price

Have any recommendations been made to the tobacco companies in this country?

Mr. Stanley

It would be impossible to consider this question without finding out the views of the tobacco firms.

Sir Percy Harris

Is it not largely a matter of taste and palate?

Mr. Stanley

That is what I have just previously said.

Mr. T. Williams

Can my right hon. Friend say whether or not representations have been made to the co-operative societies to push this particular tobacco?

Mr. Holdsworth

Are you adding Bulgaria to the list?

Mr. Stanley

The original answer says "oriental tobaccos.