HC Deb 15 March 1965 vol 708 cc864-5
10. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what has been the expenditure of the Government Hospitality Fund on cigarettes in the last year; and what amount was spent in the last three months.

Mr. C. Pannell

Expenditure in 1964 was £481. In the three months from 1st November, 1964, to 31st January, 1965, the amount spent dropped to £86.

Mr. Lewis

Does not the right hon. Gentleman find it rather odd that he is spending money on cigarettes for either his friends or his enemies—I do not know which—while at the same time the Government are banning advertising of cigarettes on television? Is not this an indication that the Government are engaging in pure prejudice against independent television companies?

Mr. Speaker

Order. On any conceivable view, that must be asking for an expression of opinion. It is quite out of order.