§ Mr. FIELDasked the Under-Secretary for War whether the greater part of Government contracts for the supply of tobacco and cigarettes is given to the British-American Tobacco Company, which is the super-trust which controls the world's tobacco trade and has paid a dividend of 24½ per cent. on its ordinary shares; and whether, in view of those circumstances, he will arrange that a fair proportion of the contracts will be given 412W to tax-paying British and Irish, firms who trade independently of this dominating trust?
Mr. BAKERThe greater portion of War Office orders for tobacco and cigarettes placed during the War has been given to British and Irish firms which are not included in the British-American Tobacco Company.