§ 70. Wing-Commander Robinsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the continued difficulties of many retailers in obtaining adequate supplies of cigarettes and tobacco; what are the reasons for this continued shortage; and what steps are being taken to meet the demands of the public in this matter.
§ Sir S. CrippsSupplies of cigarettes and tobacco to retailers are now about 30 per cent. above the prewar level, and the manufacturers are making as many cigarettes as they can with the labour available. Retailers' working stocks were run down to meet Service requirements and have not yet recovered, but the situation would be eased if the public would confine their purchases to their immediate needs so as to give the opportunity for stocks to be rebuilt.