§ 92. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent imports of Rhodesian tobacco have now been replaced from the United States, and elsewhere; how such replacements compare in price; what will be the additional dollar cost to Britain; and what will be the effect on cigarette prices.
§ Mr. JayThese imports have been wholly displaced by tobacco from other countries. British manufacturers have not proposed any increase in cigarette prices because of this. Since the substantial Rhodesian tobacco crop is no longer freely available in world commerce, tobacco prices are likely to be higher than they would otherwise have214W been; but there is no valid way of assessing the extent of any increase or its effect on the cost of British tobacco imports.