59. Mr. Baker Whiteasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that whereas a food ration or clothing book lost by accident in a fire is replaceable on demand from the appropriate authority there is no replacement for an old age pensioner's tobacco token book lost in the same circumstances; and whether he will cause the regulations to be amended in order to correct this anomaly and remove a hardship from pensioners.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Glenvil Hall)As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Skipton (Mr. Drayson) on 2nd December last, I regret that books of Tobacco Duty relief tokens lost through accident or theft cannot be replaced because this would promote abuse of the concession.
Mr. Baker WhiteCould the Financial Secretary explain why there should be an abuse of the concession for a very small number of pensioners whereas there is supposed to be no abuse in connection with the loss of over 900,000 ration books last year?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallFor the very simple reason that ration books can be recognised, as they have a name and a number. Token books have not.