HC Deb 28 May 1940 vol 361 c417
57. Sir J. Smedley Crooke

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the heavy cost of tobacco, and the comparatively small service pay, he will reconsider the possibility of having served out a weekly free issue of cigarettes to all members of His Majesty's Forces, whether serving at home or abroad?

Captain Crookshank

My hon. Friend no doubt has in mind the effect upon the price of tobacco of the recent increase in taxation. This increase affects all classes of the community and I could not agree that there are sufficient grounds for granting special compensation to members of the Forces in the form of a general free issue of cigarettes.