§ Q4. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Prime Minister which Government Departments are concerned with the problem of the dangers to health, including cancer, caused by cigarette smoking, and with research into this subject and the provision of information and publicity about it.
§ The Prime MinisterPrimarily the Health and Education Departments and, in regard to research, the Medical Research Council.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerOn research, is the Prime Minister aware that knowledge of smoking habits at the moment is almost exclusively available only from the tobacco trade? The Council for Children's Welfare is at the moment trying to beg money from the Gulbenkian Foundation to finance research into effective ways of explaining the hazards of cigarette smoking to young people because a penny in Government money is not forthcoming.
On publicity, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman why the Government's publicity services continue to be on a derisory scale using old-fashioned methods and making no use of television, radio, Press advertising, and other modern means of mass communication? Will the Prime Minister give urgent new instructions to all the Government Departments concerned to take effective action in this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterWith regard to the first part of that supplementary question, a good deal of this research is being undertaken by the Medical Research Council. With regard to the second part, I understand that in addition to all the other methods in the schools and elsewhere, by means of posters, and so on, an official colour film has just been com- 1172 pleted and copies will be available to schools and other bodies connected with the campaign.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunHas a Cabinet decision been taken to ignore the recommendation by the Royal College of Physicians exactly a year ago that all cigarette advertising should be prohibited on television? If so, why?
§ The Prime MinisterI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. LiptonHaving mentioned posters, is the Prime Minister aware that the poster advertising interests are in effect exercising a censorship over Government posters dealing with the connection between smoking and lung cancer? What is the right hon. Gentleman doing to stop this interference with the good work which the Ministry of Health is trying to do in this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterI understand that that question is now under discussion between Departments.
§ Mr. DribergWould the Government consider taking some time on commercial television to warn viewers against the cigarette commercials?
§ The Prime MinisterI shall consider that, but I cannot promise that it will be done.