HC Deb 13 May 1947 vol 437 cc1287-8
57. Sir Ian Fraser

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will encourage the commercial growing of tobacco in Great Britain by reducing taxation on it; and if he will allow the amateur gardener to grow and use enough tobacco for himself and his family free of duty

Mr. Dalton

No, Sir.

Sir I. Fraser

Will the right hon. Gentleman treat this question with a little more respect? Would it not be a good thing to have thousands of gardeners digging for dollars?

Mr. Dalton

I think it would be a misuse of both British land and British labour to try to grow tobacco here. Nobody would smoke it.

Mr. Beechman

Is the Chancellor aware that Virginian tobacco has been grown in West Cornwall and smoked by two or three people experimentally with great enjoyment and that similar experiments are in hand in regard to Cuban tobacco?

Mr. Somerville Hastings

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the extreme danger of this home-grown tobacco unless it is thoroughly matured?