asked the Chancellor of the Excheqer if he is aware that in a recent Civil Service examination it was stated that consumption per head in the United Kingdom of meat was 133 lb. in 1900, 110 lb. in 1934 to 1938 and 75 lb. in 1951, whereas tobacco consumption was 30 oz. in 1900, 62 oz. in 1934 to 1938 and 71 oz. in 1951; and from where these figures were obtained

Yes, Sir. I understand that the figures were quoted from the "Economist" of 30th May last.

:If the nation is not able to eat as much as it wants and also smoke as much as it wants at the same time, would my right hon. Friend prefer the nation to eat or to smoke?

I had better refer my hon. Friend to the "Economist," which is the source of these figures.