HC Deb 22 May 1962 vol 660 cc201-2
6. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Postmaster-General when he will announce Her Majesty's Government's decision regarding cigarette advertising on commercial television.

Mr. Bevins

As the hon. Member knows there are now no cigarette advertisements on television until the advertising interval before the 9 o'clock news on weekdays, and at about the same time at weekends. The Authority is examining the type and style of cigarette advertisements on television. Meanwhile the Government are urgently considering this problem, but I cannot yet say when decisions will be announced.

Mr. Allaun

Since it is now ten weeks since the Royal College of Physicians issued its Report, may I ask how much longer it will be before the Government make up their mind on this matter? I hope that the Minister, if he does anything, will not merely restrict the time during which these advertisements are shown, when many people think that they should not be shown at all. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that while the Government are making up their mind damage to health is continuing because those advertisements of a romantic type aimed deliberately at young people are still continuously appearing?

Mr. Bevins

I can assure the House that the very wide range of suggestions in this Report are being considered as a matter of urgency and I.T.A. is discussing the matter with its Advertising Advisory Committee, which may recommend a complete ban. If it does, that advice would be mandatory on I.T.A. I have power, if I decide to use it, to ban all cigarette advertising on television, but I would not dream of doing that precipitately until Ministers have had a full opportunity of considering all the implications.

Mr. Stodart

Will my right hon. Friend direct his particular attention to the advertisement which offers gift vouchers to those who buy cigarettes of a variety which I happened to see advertised last Sunday, since, having regard to the terms of the Report, this appears to be undesirable?

Mr. Bevins

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Fell

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that nobody is forced to smoke and that the advertisements do not force people to smoke? Will he assure the House that Her Majesty's Government will not follow the bad example of Italy in this matter?

Mr. Bevins

I do not happen to know what the example of Italy is, but I assure my hon. Friend that the Government will not jump to conclusions in this matter.