§ 2. Mr. KINGasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the permission granted to the clerical staff to smoke at office work is an annoyance and hindrance to non-smokers who share rooms with persons smoking all day, that it leads many young women to practise smoking, and is open to danger and abuse; and whether he has considered restricting the concession to seniors, who sit alone, to certain fixed hours, preferably after 5 p.m., and to rooms shared by several clerks of whom a majority in the room desire it?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The extent to which smoking is permitted in the Departmental offices at the Admiralty is left to the judgment of the heads of the various Departments, subject of course to proper safeguards in the case of temporary buildings used as offices. It is understood that the same rule applies in other Government Departments. Inquiries that have been made—and the absence of complaints bearing out the statement of the hon. Member—justify the conclusion, I am assured, that there is no adequate ground for such restrictions as he suggests. Reasonable cases of complaint by individuals can be dealt with by the head of their Department.
§ Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGAre we to understand that in the case of the head of a Department being a non-smoker, no smoking is allowed, and that where the head of a Department is a smoker, unlimited smoking is allowed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat is not the point at all. It is quite the other way round.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the present arrangements conduce to the efficiency and dispatch of business?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes.