Mr. ALFRED T. DAVIESasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the stocks of American tobacco now in this country and the decision of the Port of London Authority to provide increased storage at the Royal Victoria Docks, some arrangement will be made to encourage the importation of tobacco from overseas Dominions, with a view to stabilising the Anglo-American exchange; and what efforts have been made recently by the Department to encourage growers of tobacco in British Dominions overseas?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYSubstantial encouragement is given to the importation of Empire grown tobacco by the preferential reduction of duty provided by the Finance Act, 1919, All due assistance is at the same time being given to tobacco growers by the Agricultural Departments of Colonies and Protectorates in which tobacco is produced, and I may add that it is proposed to appoint a special tobacco inspector, with a view to improving the conditions in which tobacco is exported from Nyasaland.