§ 42. Mr. Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give a general direction to British Rail to provide a greater number of no-smoking compartments in their passenger services.
§ Mr. PeytonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. WintertonIs my right hon. Friend aware that at present only some three-eights of the seats in trains are allocated to non-smokers although fewer than 50 per cent. of the people of the country smoke? Would he not be prepared to ease the situation, and, perhaps, also promote the anti-smoking campaign by doing something to advise the people of this country of the dangers of smoking?
§ Mr. PeytonNo: advice on that subject is a matter for one of my right hon. Friends and not for me. British Rail aims to provide about half the seats in non-smoking compartments, and I hope that my hon. Friend will think that that does not too inadequately reflect the figures which he quoted.
§ Mr. PavittHas the Minister seen the report of the B.M.A. requesting further help in this matter? Has he given evidence to the Prime Minister's interdepartmental committee now sitting on the whole question of the report of the Royal College of Physicians on smoking and on advertising smoking in public places?
§ Mr. PeytonNo. In so far as I have an interest in the conduct of the railways I think it must be in the direction of urging and assisting the railways to carry their passengers in safety and in comfort.