§ 70. Mr. Austinasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the increased charges for tobacco are justified, in view of the profits earned by the companies concerned; and whether he will order an inquiry into this matter.
§ Mr. BelcherThe recent rise in prices affects only certain brands of tobacco. The leading tobacco manufacturers informed us in advance of their intention to make increases and satisfied us that they were due to an increase in working costs, and particularly in the cost of the grades of leaf tobacco used in these particular brands.