HC Deb 06 June 1944 vol 400 cc1192-3
31. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that troops serving in the Middle East and India are now supplied with a reasonable quantity and quality of cigarettes; and how the unwanted cigarettes were disposed of.

Sir J. Grigg

The ration of free cigarettes is the same in these Commands as in other Commands where cigarettes are a free issue, namely, two ounces of cigarettes a week which is the equivalent of about 50. The issue in the Middle East consists of cigarettes of standard brands from this country. The Government of India is responsible for British troops in India. The stocks of Indian cigarettes no longer issued to British troops are being issued to Indian troops and to Italian prisoners of war.

Mr. Sorensen

Do I understand that the poor Indians and Italians have to put up with these unsmokeable cigarettes?

Sir J. Grigg

The unsmokeable cigarettes, as the hon. Member calls them, are produced in India, and there is, I believe, a regulation in India that Indian cigarettes must contain at least 70 per cent. of Indian tobacco. I imagine that Indians can do what they like in India.

Mr. Bellenger

Do I understand that British troops in India are the responsibility of the Indian Government?

Sir J. Grigg

In this matter of rations.

Mr. Bellenger

Am I to understand that the Minister has no interest in such welfare matters as affect a large number of British troops serving in India?

Sir J. Grigg

The hon. Member put a Question to the Deputy Prime Minister on that subject, and I am quite sure that he knows perfectly well what the division of responsibility is.

Mr. Bellenger

No, I do not know what it is.

Sir J. Grigg

I refer the hon. Member to the answer he received, which will give him the information.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

The Minister has referred to standards of cigarettes. Can he give us an assurance that our men now receive cigarettes like Players, Gold Flake, Churchman, and others, such as civilians smoke in this country?

Sir J. Grigg

I was under the impression that I gave a list of the brands.