§ Mr. Grettonasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the public are being prosecuted for being in possession of cigarettes and tobacco presented to them by members of the U.S.A. Forces; and since these prosecutions are causing embarrassment will he make a statement for the guidance of everyone concerned.
§ Mr. AsshetonIt is not correct to state the position in such general terms as those of the first part of the Question. Cigarettes and tobacco imported for the personal use of members of the United States Forces are admitted free of Customs Duty, and it is contrary to the intention and the spirit of this arrangement that they should be consumed by British citizens. It is natural that members of, the United States Forces should wish to give small quantities to people with whom they make friendly contacts, and there is no intention in official quarters of interfering with such an expression of good will. On the other hand, the possession of substantial quantities, particularly by persons licensed to trade in cigarettes and tobacco, cannot be tolerated, and in such cases a prosecution is ordered.