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20.
Mr. Russell
asked the President of the Board of Trade why total imports of tobacco from Jamaica fell from 309,917 lb. in 1952 to 217,083 lb. in 1953.
Mr. P. Thorneycroft
:About half of the decrease is due to the fact that the statistics of 1952 imports of cigar leaf were inflated by a large shipment at the end of 1951 which arrived too late to be included in the statistics for that year. For the rest, the decrease appears to reflect a reduction in demand for Jamaican cigars.
Mr. Russell
:Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the imports of cigars which he is now bringing in from Cuba will not adversely affect the import of cigars from Jamaica?
Mr. Thorneycroft
:The restrictions on the import of cigars from Cuba were imposed on balance of payments grounds.