HC Deb 16 March 1965 vol 708 cc1060-1
26. Mr. Kershaw

asked the Postmaster-General what further consideration he has given to prohibiting cigarette advertisements on independent television; and if he will consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the financial implications of such a step.

Mr. Benn

As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker) on 2nd March, cigarette advertising on television is to stop on the 1st August of this year. In reaching this decision the Government naturally took into account all the relevant implications.

Mr. Kershaw

Under what powers was the decision made? Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to leave the powers as they are or to extend them to include other forms of advertising?

Mr. Benn

The powers under which this direction was given were conferred by the Television Act. As the House knows, the advertising of quite a number of things is prohibited under this Act—for example, moneylenders, matrimonial agencies, fortune tellers, undertakers, betting, the visual presentation of doctors, dentists, midwives and nurses, and cures for alcoholism, baldness and various other products.

Mr. John Hall

As we understand that the prohibition of the advertising of cigarettes on television is in the interests of the health of the nation, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the advertising of many other things should be prohibited? For example, why does he not prohibit the advertising of sweets and sugar, because sugar is one of the main contributory causes of circulatory disease? Is there not an equal case for prohibiting the advertising of many other things apart from cigarettes?

Mr. Benn

I suppose that anything, even water, taken to excess, is fatal, but it is undoubtedly true, as the House knows very well, that the link between lung cancer and smoking has been established to the satisfaction of the medical profession, which welcomed this ban. I think teat this ban is well justified by the medical evidence.

Mr. Speaker

Questions to the Prime Minister.

Sir C. Osborne

On a point of order. Is it possible for you, Mr. Speaker, to allow the Postmaster-General—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—I am asking a question. Would it be possible, under the rules of order, for you, Mr. Speaker, to allow the Postmaster-General to answer Question No. 35 to which he referred in reply to Question No. 18, saying that he would make a statement later?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate my difficulty. A number of Questions appear on the Order Paper, and we do not get through all of them, I am afraid. It is therefore difficult to make exceptions or invite exceptions to be made.

Mr. Robert Cooke

Further to that point of order. May we know whether the Postmaster-General has asked your permission, Mr. Speaker, to answer this vital Question at the end of Question Time?

Mr. Speaker

No, he has not. Let us get on.