HC Deb 05 February 1953 vol 510 cc2000-1
4. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the annual consumption of Empire tobacco since 1939; and what steps he is taking to see that these quantities are increased.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Approximately 48 million lb. of Commonwealth tobacco were retained for home consumption in 1939, and 89 million lb. in the first 11 months of 1952. With my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate the figures for the years 1940 to 1951 in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Licences are freely granted for imports of leaf from the sterling area, and there is, of course, a strong inducement to manufacturers to increase their use of non-dollar tobacco on account of the restrictions on dollar purchases.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with what, if I heard his answer right, is a considerable decrease, and can he say what can be done to increase this very necessary import?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I must have been mis-heard. In fact, there has been a considerable increase—approximately 48 million lb. of Commonwealth tobacco in 1939 and 89 million lb. in the first 11 months of 1952.

Following are the figures:

AMOUNTS OF TOBACCO RETAINED FOR HOME CONSUMPTION ON WHICH THE PREFERENTIAL RATE OF DUTY WAS PAID
Calendar Year Million lb.
1940 … … … … 50
1941 … … … … 69
1942 … … … … 76
1943 … … … … 56
1944 … … … … 47
1945 … … … … 48
1946 … … … … 56
1947 … … … … 51
1948 … … … … 61
1949 … … … … 72
1950 … … … … 82
1951 … … … … 91