§ 38 and 39. Mr. Teelingasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that visitors to this country from abroad in the Festival Year 1951 will be able to purchase Havana cigars;
(2) how many Havana cigars a visitor from abroad may now bring into this country; and what steps are taken to inform intending visitors that in this country Havana cigars cannot be purchased, and that a certain number can be brought 1715 in for personal use before they book then-passages to Great Britain.
§ The Secretary for Overseas Trade (Mr. Bottomley)Visitors to the United Kingdom may import on payment of duty any reasonable quantity of tobacco, including Havana cigars, for their personal use. The duty-free concession is limited to 1 lb. of tobacco or its equivalent, that is 65 to 100 cigars according to size, for visitors from the United States and countries outside Europe, and ½ lb. for visitors from Europe. This is made known abroad through publications of the British Travel and Holidays Association, but no special steps are taken to inform intending visitors that Havana, as opposed to other cigars, are not at present imported into the United Kingdom. I cannot say what the position may be by the time the Festival of Britain opens.
§ Mr. TeelingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many Americans coming to this country and into other parts of Europe have always up to now smoked cigars, rather than cigarettes, and that they prefer the Havana cigar, and it will mean a considerable dollar asset if they can purchase those cigars here? Is he also aware that this is now the only country in Europe where one cannot purchase Havana cigars freely, and why are not these travellers told about this before they buy their tickets?
§ Mr. BottomleyThey are given the information about the restrictions, and they are also told that they can bring in up to 20 lb. of tobacco, which includes cigars, provided they pay the duty.