§ Mr. Coombsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was his forecast of the consumption of cigarettes following the 1986 Budget; what is his current forecast; and to what extent the difference in these forecasts is attributable to the importation of foreign cigarettes.
§ Mr. BrookeI shall let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Coombsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the increase in tax on a packet of 20 cigarettes of the most popular brand since May 1979; and what has been the change in the retail price index in the same period.
§ Mr. BrookeThe total tax on a packet of 20 cigarettes of the most popular brand increased by 184.4 per cent. between May 1979 and November 1986. The retail price index increased by 81.4 per cent.