§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date cigarettes ceased to be issued free to the armed forces. [6591]
§ Mr. SoamesWe have been unable to ascertain from departmental records still in existence as to whether there was ever a universal free issue of cigarettes to service personnel, but we believe that this did occur under some circumstances during the second world war, particularly for those serving overseas. To the best of our knowledge, no evidence exists to indicate that members of the Royal Navy or the RAF received free cigarettes after the end of world war 2. Records do indicate, however, that some Army personnel were issued with free cigarettes up to the late 1950s, but we believe that this practice ceased in the early 1960s. Should any additional evidence come to light on this matter, I will inform the hon. Member.