§ 27. Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the maximum sums in dollars which he is prepared to make available to tobacco importers in this country for the purchase of United States and Canadian tobacco, respectively, in the current year.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe disclosure of such information inevitably affects the market. It would be imprudent to publicise our intentions before the auctions are completed.
§ Mr. MacphersonI am sorry that I did not hear the whole of that answer because of the noise going on. May I ask the Chancellor whether the encouraging growth, proportionately, in the amount available for Canadian purchases will go on? Secondly, is he satisfied that all available tobacco in the sterling area is being imported by British tobacco importers so as to save dollars?
§ Mr. ButlerWe are certainly doing our best to buy tobacco where we can at the best possible price.