§ 32. Sir J. Lucasasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the rise in the cost of tobacco, he will seek power to authorise the reintroduction of coupons for old-age pensioners to enable them to buy limited amounts of tobacco at a reduced price.
§ Mr. MacDermotNo, Sir.
§ Sir J. LucasDoes the hon. and learned Gentleman realise that that will cause great disappointment amongst all the old-age pensioners, and amongst his personal admirers?
§ Mr. MacDermotI think that the experience of the previous coupon 217 scheme showed that it worked unfairly as between different classes of pensioners and as between smokers and nonsmokers, and also led to serious abuse. I do not think there is a general feeling that it ought to be readopted.
§ Mr. William ClarkIn view of that reply, will the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us why his party persistently opposed the abolition of the coupons?
§ Mr. MacDermotThe answer is that we wanted an increase in pensions, which was not granted. We have now made the most substantial increase in the pension that has ever been made, and this is a much more satisfactory way of assisting old-age pensioners.
§ Dr. MillerHas my hon. and learned Friend's attention been drawn to the statement by the Chairman of the Medical Research Council at the Royal Society for Health Congress in which he indicates that the Government should do all in their power to discourage smoking, and if he feels that there is something in this question will he consider taxing cigarettes more heavily than other forms of tobacco?
§ Mr. MacDermotI do not think that in determining fiscal policy it would be right to have regard to those considerations, but, of course, the tax which has been imposed will help, in so far as it has the effect of deterring people from smoking cigarettes.