§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has about the extent and trend of low-priced imports of cigarettes; from which countries they come; by what amount, in pence per 20, such cigarettes are cheaper than United Kingdom-produced cigarettes; and what representations he has received about the implications of these imports for the competitiveness and viability of the United Kingdom cigarette industry.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkAccording to estimates provided by the United Kingdom tobacco industry, imports of cheap brands of cigarettes increased from 0.1 billion pieces in 1983 to 9.6 billion in 1986, but appear to be falling back this year to rather less than 10 per cent. of United Kingdom cigarette consumption. About 80 per cent. of these imports come from the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin. The industry estimates that these imports can undercut the United Kingdom retail price of United Kingdom manufactured brands by up to 25p per packet of 20 cigarettes.
I personally have not received any representations on this issue, but I understand that colleagues in this and other Departments have, and that meetings with industry representatives have been arranged.