§ 14. Mr. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade by how much tobacco consumption has been reduced since the Budget; whether the reduction is as great as was anticipated; and what steps is he taking to substitute Empire-grown for U.S. tobacco.
§ Sir S. CrippsThere was a substantial drop in tobacco consumption immediately after the Budget, but it is too early yet to estimate accurately whether consumption will settle down at a level above or below the target of a 25 per cent. reduction set by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. We are already buying al] the Empire tobacco that is available.
§ Mr. OsborneIs the quantity of Empire grown tobacco sufficient to make up for the 25 per cent. the Chancellor of the Exchequer hopes to save on imports from America?
§ Sir S. CrippsNo. That will be taken off what is left.