§ 21. Miss Eleanor Rathboneasked the President of the Board of Trade whether 1234 he will furnish figures, comparable to those given to illustrate the saving in shipping space achievable by eating less or different kinds of bread, showing how much shipping space could be saved for every 10 per cent. reduction in the imports of tobacco generally and of American tobacco in particular?
§ Captain WaterhousePublication of details relating to trade statistics has been suspended since the outbreak of hostilities. I cannot therefore give a figure which would indicate the rate of import of any commodity.
§ Miss RathboneIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that present propaganda about tobacco is most unsatisfactory, that the appeal to the tobacco consumers to reduce their consumption for a few weeks only, by one-fifth only, is unsatisfactory, first, because patriotic smokers have already reduced their consumption by far more than one-fifth and, secondly, that they would be ready to reduce it far more than that if they had reason to suppose it to be necessary.—[Interruption.]—May I not ask for a reply?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Lady is giving the answer to her own Question.
§ Miss RathboneIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Reply, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment.