§ 27. Mrs. Fordasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of tobacco vouchers at present issued to old age pensioners per week.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerAbout 2,200,000 old age pensioners at present receive tobacco tokens, one for each week.
§ Mrs. FordIn view of the fact that there are some four-and-a-half million old age pensioners, does not my right hon. Friend think that this system of tobacco vouchers is unfair to non-smokers and open to misuse?
§ Mr. ButlerI should not like to refer to misuse in the question of smoking. I would say, however, that if there were any further concession, I calculate that something to compensate might well cost as much as £16 million a year, which would be a very heavy liability at present.
Mr. ShunnerIs it not possible to find some means of giving tobacco vouchers to those pensioners who are not receiving the national old age pension? Many of them are living at a very low standard and are placed in an unfavourable position.
§ Mr. ButlerI am aware of the difficulties, but the trouble is that when an attempt is made, as has been made in the 194 past, to help those particular old age pensioners, it is difficult to extend it without getting into further difficulties.