asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the several increases since 1939 in the retail prices of cigarettes have now, because of the adoption on each occasion of the fraction of a halfpenny as a halfpenny, resulted in the price of the smallest sized cigarettes being increased by a greater proportion than the price of ordinary sized cigarettes; that the price was formely 4d. for ten as against 6d. for ten, and is now 8d. as against 10½d.; and, if so, if he will have the smallest sized cigarettes reduced to the fair price of 7d. per ten, which is the proportionate price.

The disproportion in prices to which the Deputy refers is affected by changes since 1939 in the respective weights of the two classes of cigarettes. My information is that at present prices the consumers of each class of cigarettes are obtaining approximately equal value.