§ 56. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why difficulties are placed by the Customs and Excise in the way of those growing tobacco for their own use, preventing them from producing a smokable tobacco, such as prohibiting the shredding by the Tobacco Growers Association of its members' own tobacco; and, in view of the need for the reduction of expenditure of dollars in importing American-grown tobacco, if he will consult with the Tobacco Growers Association to see what can be done to facilitate an increase in home-grown tobacco by the removal of unnecessary restrictions.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe home-growing, curing and manufacture of tobacco by amateurs for their own use has been allowed to proceed freely since 1948 under an extra-statutory concession, and the Customs and Excise have placed no difficulties in the way of these activities.
Only one of the several associations concerned has asked for any extension 106W of the present concession. After full consideration of their representations it was decided that it would not be proper to waive the statutory requirements so as to permit manufacturing operations to be carried out by such organisations on commercial lines, as such an extension would go far beyond the limited and amateur character of the original concession.