§ 64. Mr. John Dugdaleasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to save transport and to avoid possible loss by pilfering, he will consider introducing a scheme whereby persons in this country may send cash vouchers, valid at all N.A.A.F.I.s, instead of tobacco and cigarettes to their relatives and friends serving overseas.
§ The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Mr. Arthur Henderson)The suggestion made by my hon. Friend has recently been very carefully considered. The tobacco and cigarettes must in any case be transported to the stations overseas and a voucher system would not save much transport. It would, moreover, be impossible, particularly in the forward areas, to maintain a stock of the variety of brands which the soldier now receives in his parcels. Reports indicate furthermore that there is an improvement in the delivery of parcels of cigarettes and tobacco, at least in the Mediterranean theatre, and I am glad to say that the losses due to pilfering are in practice not great.