HC Deb 17 October 1918 vol 110 cc334-5W
Mr. HARRIS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can arrange with the Board of Tobacco Control to give the same priority to the various recognised county prisoners of war funds for tobacco and cigarettes as is given to military hospital funds?

Sir A. STANLEY

Manufacturers who produce to the Tobacco Control Board orders on behalf of recognised prisoners of war funds are granted permits for the clearance from bond of sufficient tobacco to execute these orders.

Mr. HARRIS

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the reason for the inequality of prices charged by the Tobacco Control Board for cigarettes and tobacco as between war-hospital funds and prisoner-of-war funds, and why the latter are charged 25 per cent. more than the former; and whether he will make arrangements for the prisoner of war organisations to be placed on the most advantageous terms?

Sir A. STANLEY

The Tobacco Control Board regulate the home and export prices to be charged on the basis of the prices ruling when the Board was established. The export prices are higher than the home trades prices for various reasons—e.g., the more expensive form of packing. Military hospitals at home come under the Home Trade Regulations, and prisoners of war funds under the export rates.