HC Deb 06 August 1940 vol 363 cc38-9
63. Mr. J. Hall

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will take steps to allow men serving in the Army to purchase cigarettes in the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes canteens at prices comparable to those available to members of the Royal Navy?

Captain Crookshank

The privileges of the Royal Navy to which the hon. Member refers are of long standing, and are confined to naval personnel serving in His Majesty's sea-going ships in commission. My right hon. Friend has given careful and sympathetic consideration to the various proposals made by hon. Members that, by one means or another, personnel in the Armed Forces in this country might be enabled to purchase cigarettes or tobacco at a price free of duty, but for reasons explained in answers to previous Questions as well as during the passage of the Finance Bill it is not possible to agree to such proposals.

Mr. Hall

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take into consideration the small amount of money left to soldiers after making allotments? Surely with the small sum they have left the present prices of tobacco and cigarettes are a real hardship to them and ought not something to be done to lessen the hardship?

Captain Crookshank

All those considerations have been looked into by my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman inquire into the secret reserves at the disposal of N.A.A.F.I., so that they may be utilised for providing men in the Services with tobacco and cigarettes at cost price plus the expense?

Mr. Denville

Why make profits out of our soldiers?

Captain Crookshank

I think the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) made that suggestion in a public speech, and no doubt as a result of that it has also been considered, but I am not responsible for the reserves or even for the administration of the N.A.A.F.I.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that no Government Department appears to be responsible for that organisation, and yet it seems to be the only means of enabling the men in the Services to obtain cigarettes and tobacco at a lower cost?

Captain Crookshank

I cannot help that. I am not responsible.