§ Q1. Mr. Liptonasked the Prime Minister what action is being taken to coordinate the efforts of the Ministries of Health, education, the Service Departments and other Ministries concerned in regard to cigarette smoking.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. R. A. Butler)I have been asked to reply.
The Departments concerned are examining together, as a matter of urgency, the recommendations for 813 Government action made in the recent report by the Royal College of Physicians.
§ Mr. LiptonDoes not that look as if the Government's timid and feeble efforts to back up the report of the Royal College of Physicians seem to be petering out altogether? When are the Government going to take effective action and so show us that they are taking this whole problem very seriously?
§ Mr. ButlerWe are taking the problem seriously. It involves possible aspects of Government policy not previously envisaged by any Government on a very wide range of suggestions in the report, which is receiving urgent examination.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonCan the right hon. Gentleman say particularly whether any progress has been made on the recommendations about cigarette advertising and when we may expect a statement on that matter?
§ Mr. ButlerThat is one of the many matters under consideration.
§ Mr. GaitskellCan we assume from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that the Government will do everything they can to discourage cigarette smoking; can he say whether they have yet taken a line on this issue of principle?
§ Mr. ButlerA line has already been taken in relation to the education and health services by my two right hon. Friends directly concerned. These are direct provinces in which the Government can act. In some of the other provinces the Government have not acted hitherto, and that is why we are examining them.