§ Mr. KILEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a statement has been made by a responsible member of the tobacco trade to the effect that a shortage of tobacco, necessitating a curtailment of supplies to the smoking public at an early date, is in evitable unless larger imports are permitted; and, seeing that a curtailment of supplies will lead to widespread discontent, what steps it is proposed to take to prevent this?
Sir A. STANLEYThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is an object of the Tobacco and Matches Control Board to ensure as far as possible the same quantity of imports of tobacco in 1918 as in 1916, but this is subject to the provision of the necessary tonnage, and as to this they are in communication with the Ministry of Shipping.