§ 63. Mr. G. Straussasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will 569 arrange that adequate supplies of tobacco will be immediately available in towns after a severe air attack?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)It is the practice of manufacturers to send extra supplies of tobacco to any town in which a severe air attack has resulted in destruction of distributors' stocks. The Board of Trade are in constant touch with manufacturers to ensure that these supplies are sent forward as rapidly as possible.
§ Mr. StraussWhile appreciating that reply, may I ask whether an attempt is made to send the tobacco to these towns on the actual day after the blitz has taken place, because perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that smokers in those towns should have the first call on the tobacco?
§ Captain WaterhouseIt not infrequently happens that the tobacco supply is not itself destroyed. We have knowledge of what was done at three towns which suffered from air attacks— Sheffield, Coventry and Swansea— and in those cases 5,500,000, 3,000,000 and 6,000,000 cigarettes were sent by the manufacturers forthwith.
§ Mr. LevyIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that while there is a superabundance of cigarettes in some districts in the towns adjoining there are no cigarettes whatever?
§ Captain WaterhouseI am not aware of that fact, and if my hon. Friend will give me any information about it I shall be glad to have it.
§ Mr. ThorneMay I ask the Minister whether the ban on American tobacco has been removed?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat has nothing to do with this Question.