§ Mr. Goldieasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that well-known proprietary brands of cigarettes which are on sale in the Metropolitan area are practically unobtainable in Warrington and the surrounding districts; and whether he will accordingly arrange for a more equitable distribution of such stocks as may be available?
§ Captain WaterhouseManufacturers are rationing their customers throughout the country on the basis of past trade, allowing for movements of population, and retailers are at liberty to take their ration from each manufacturer in any brand they choose. I have no reason to suppose that retailers in the Warrington area are receiving smaller proportionate supplies of the well-known proprietary brands of cigarettes than retailers in the Metropolitan area. While I do not think therefore that any useful purpose would be served at present in asking manufacturers to change their existing distribution methods, I can assure my hon. and learned Friend that the Board of Trade are keeping this matter under constant review.