HC Deb 14 October 1946 vol 427 cc126-7W
108. Major Beamish

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the supply of cigarettes is still inadequate; by when he estimates that the supply will be sufficient to cater for the demand; what steps he is taking to increase the supply; and what is the reason for this shortage continuing for more than a year after the end of the war.

Sir S. Cripps

I am aware that public demand is greater than the shops can satisfy at all times, but supplies 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. The situation would be eased if the public would confine their purchases to their immediate needs so as to give retailers the opportunity of rebuilding their working stocks, which were run down earlier this year to meet Service requirements and have not yet recovered.

111. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cigarettes exported to Gibraltar for sale during the six months ended March, 1946, and September, 1946, respectively; and how many this represents per capita of the civilian population there.

Sir S. Cripps

During the six months ended 31st March, 1946, 120 million cigarettes were exported to Gibraltar, and during the following five months, 80 million. The September figures are not yet available. The number of cigarettes available for consumption by the civilian population is not known, since the supplies have to meet the needs not only of the resident Service population but also of a large floating Service population of His Majesty's vessels visiting the colony on their way to other stations, and of non-resident dockyard workers.