HC Deb 24 April 1956 vol 551 cc1592-3
3. Captain Pilkington

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it would cost to extend the present concession on tobacco to cover the new increases in tax.

4. Mr. Gibson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Treasury of increasing the value of old-age pensioners' tobacco vouchers to include the increase in the Tobacco Duty.

Mr. H. Macmillan

The cost would be about £2¼ million in the first full year.

Mr. Usborne

On a point of order. Would you enlighten me, Mr. Speaker, as to why you did not call me when I rose to ask a supplementary question to Question No. 1? Did you not call me because, the case being sub judice, it is not in order to ask questions, or because you did not see me? I rose immediately after the Chancellor sat down.

Mr. Speaker

I hope that I shall not always be called upon to give reasons why I do not call an hon. Member. It would involve me in a great deal of speaking. I watched to see whether the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Pitman) wished to ask a supplementary question, and, as he did not, I thought that he took the same view as I did, that the matter was sub judice and that nothing more could be said.

Captain Pilkington

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of the fact that the margin of comfort of most old-age pensioners is very small indeed, he will reconsider the matter in the Committee stage of the Finance Bill and also the possibility of a concession for nonsmokers? In view of his brilliant expounding of the merits of the Budget last night, can he not in this matter be a rather more susceptible Chancellor?

Mr. Gibson

May I also press the Chancellor to reconsider this matter and do something different? Does he realise that this aspect of his Budget proposals is regarded all over the country as about the meanest part of the whole Budget?

Mr. Macmillan

Both hon. Members have different methods of approach, but no doubt all these matters will be discussed during the course of our consideration of the Finance Bill.

Mr. Jay

Will the Chancellor at least say that he still has an open mind on this problem?

Mr. Macmillan

I have made my statement on the Budget, but this matter will no doubt come up again.

18. Captain Corfield

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the hardship caused to old-age pensioners in respect of tobacco coupons when delay occurs in issuing pension books, since it is laid down that these coupons cannot be granted unless the pension book is produced; and whether he will issue a document or certificate to such people asserting that they are genuine pensioners.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I am aware of the position, but I fear it would not be practicable to make the change suggested.