HC Deb 04 February 1954 vol 523 cc536-7
20. Mr. Russell

asked the President of the Board of Trade why total imports of tobacco from Jamaica fell from 309,917 lb. in 1952 to 217,083 lb. in 1953.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

About half of the decrease is due to the fact that the statistics of 1952 imports of cigar leaf were inflated by a large shipment at the end of 1951 which arrived too late to be included in the statistics for that year. For the rest, the decrease appears to reflect a reduction in demand for Jamaican cigars.

Mr. Russell

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the imports of cigars which he is now bringing in from Cuba will not adversely affect the import of cigars from Jamaica?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The restrictions on the import of cigars from Cuba were imposed on balance of payments grounds.