§ 24. Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many people are employed in the cigar industry of Jamaica; and what proportion is at present unemployed.
§ Mr. CookDetailed figures are not available. Employment in the larger cigar factories appears to have declined from about 3,000 in 1947 to about 1,800 in 1949. It is roughly estimated that for every worker employed in the cigar factory the whole year round there are three workers employed in the field for six months in the year.
§ Mr. RussellIs the Minister aware that this decrease in employment in the cigar industry is due to the very heavy rate of duty levied by this country on imported Empire cigars? Will he make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to have it reduced?