HC Deb 10 April 1956 vol 551 cc17-8
31. Mr. Osborne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the welfare services together cost approximately the same amount as is produced by tobacco taxes; the cost of each service; and what new sources of revenue he has in mind to replace the tobacco income, in view of the possible reduction or complete elimination following the lung-cancer report.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

Total net receipts from the tobacco duty in 1955–56 were estimated in the 1955 Financial Statement at £660 million. This is approximately equal to the estimated cost to the Exchequer in 1956–7 of the Health Service, National Assistance, and welfare milk and foods. The cost of these services is estimated at £501 million, £127.6 million and £35.9 million respectively.

My hon. Friend will not expect me to answer the last part of the Question, which is purely hypothetical.

Mr. Osborne

May I ask whether my right hon. Friend anticipates that his colleagues' representations in the health field will result in a large reduction in smoking, and how far it will affect his income?

Mr. Macmillan

This is a period of the year when I do not like to anticipate anything.