HC Deb 19 October 1943 vol 392 cc1193-4
17. Mr. Daggar

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reason for refusing the sale of cigarettes and tobacco at colliery canteens?

Mr. Dalton

Licences under the Location of Retail Businesses Order to sell tobacco and cigarettes are not normally granted either to colliery canteens or any other applicant where the essential needs of consumers can be met through existing retail outlets.

Mr. Daggar

Is my right hon. Friend aware that facilities do not exist at a number of canteens in this country nor at pit-head baths? Why, in heaven's name, cannot men be allowed to have cigarette licences at canteens or pit-head baths? Surely it is not for my right hon. Friend to decide where men shall buy their tobacco?

Mr. Dalton

I have had considerable conversation and correspondence on this subject with my hon. Friend. I wrote to him a letter on 23rd July in which I endeavoured to explain to him just why it was unfortunately necessary to refuse a number of applications to sell tobacco at canteens I explained to him in that letter that if we multiplied the retail outlets considerably, we should reduce retailers' stocks below the safety level and reach again the scarcity conditions which existed in 1941. I went on to say that if in any case it could be shown to me that no convenient facilities existed near by a colliery for purchasing tobacco and there were no facilities for storing tobacco in lockers at the colliery, I would be very glad to grant licences—and I have done so in a number of cases; but we cannot grant them promiscuously ail over the country or we shall find ourselves in difficulties.

Mr. Daggar

As both answers are unsatisfactory, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.