HC Deb 23 June 1964 vol 697 c218
25. Mr. Prior

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will cease to collect duty on cigarettes and tobacco consumed on lightships.

Mr. Maudling

No, Sir.

Mr. Prior

Will my right hon. Friend take another look at this matter? Is he aware that men who work on lightships work under very arduous and difficult circumstances, and that tobacco is almost part of the job—to keep them awake and happy? Would it not be possible, through Customs reliefs, to bring about an easy scheme to allow these men to have a certain amount of duty-free tobacco each time they go out to the lightships? Would he reconsider the question?

Mr. Maudling

It is very hard to draw the line in these cases. No doubt these men have very arduous duties, but so have many others in different occupations. The line is drawn, at the moment, at ships going to foreign ports and to distant fishing-grounds. I will certainly look at the matter again, but I should not like to encourage my hon. Friend to think that I will make any move.