§ 42. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the inconvenience and possible danger to both passengers and staff of constant tobacco smoking in coaches, some of which travel for long distances by day and night; and whether he will give consideration to making regulations requiring the provision of coaches or parts of coaches in which smoking is prohibited, in particular in the case of long journeys.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThere are considerable practical difficulties about the hon. Member's suggestion, and I should prefer to leave this matter to the discretion of individual coach operators, who are the best persons to judge the needs of their customers.
§ Mr. HastingsBut may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the heaviest smokers with the foulest pipes seem to be attracted to the front of coaches, and that this causes considerable inconvenience to the drivers, particularly 382 on long journeys in cold weather? Will he give careful consideration to this matter?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI will certainly give consideration to it, but the pipe smokers might take a different view from that of the hon. Gentleman.