HC Deb 02 May 1940 vol 360 cc901-2
74. Mr. Culverwell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange for members of the Services stationed in the Orkney Islands to purchase tobacco and cigarettes free of duty?

Sir J. Simon

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made yesterday in the Debate on the Tobacco duties. I regret that it would not be practicable to make special concessions to troops stationed in particular parts of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Culverwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there would be very small administrative difficulties in making concessions to this detached part of the Isles? As the men stationed there are suffering very great hardship and are in a very dangerous area, cannot he see his way to give a concession of this kind?

Sir J. Simon

One could not draw a distinction between one portion of the United Kingdom and another.