§ 9. Dr. Winstanleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce measures to provide a financial inducement to cigarette smokers to change to the smoking of pipes or cigars.
§ Mr. MacDermotAs this is a budgetary question, no comment can be made now.
§ Dr. WinstanleyIs the Financial Secretary aware that a transfer from cigarette smoking to the smoking of pipes and cigars could result in a future saving of thousands of lives every year? Secondly, will he accept my assurance that it would be an easy matter to impose a stamp duty on each packet of cigarettes while 1236 making an overall reduction in tobacco duty, so as to maintain the revenue at the same level?
§ Mr. MacDermotThe hon. Member's latter suggestion is not as simple as he thinks. This matter was raised in the debate on last year's Finance Bill. I can assure the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend has taken note of what he has said.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyDoes not my hon. and learned Friend agree that 30,000 deaths a year in this country from lung cancer form a strong argument for changing tobacco taxation? Will not he assure the House that he will consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health before the final Budget proposals are brought before the House?
§ Mr. MacDermotMy right hon. Friend has already taken note of this and will consider the matter with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.
§ Sir G. NabarroWill the hon. and learned Gentleman resist these blandishments to use the tax system for a purpose for which it was never devised, namely, to warp consumer choice? Will he leave it to consumers to decide what they smoke?
§ Mr. MacDermotIf the hon. Member will read carefully what I have said I think he will find that I have neither accepted or resisted the blandishments.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes my hon. and learned Friend realise that if he took some tax off tobacco it would have a remarkably calming influence on hon. Members?