HC Deb 23 July 1980 vol 989 cc477-8
6. Mr. Higgins

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to ban smoking on public transport.

Mr. Fowler

No, Sir. The provision for smoking on public transport is a matter for the operators, and is not one on which I would seek to intervene.

Mr. Higgins

Has my right hon. Friend seen reports of the recent conference of the British Medical Association which called for the banning of smoking on buses and trains? If he is not prepared to go that far will he, in consultation with the Secretary of State for Social Services, consider, in the negotiations that are taking place on advertising, the idea that advertisements should appear on public transport pointing out the dangers to health caused by smoking?

Mr. Fowler

I shall look at my right hon. Friend's second point. If he wishes to hear my view on smoking it is that people should not smoke. I also believe in the minimum of Government intervention rather than more.

Mr. Stoddart

Will the right hon. Gentleman continue to resist the attempts of the Stalinists in the House to remove individual freedom from 50 per cent. of our population? Is he aware that on trains and buses 50 per cent. of accommodation is reserved for non-smokers and that on London Transport more than two-thirds of the accommodation is so reserved? What will these people wish to ban next? Will it be drinking, sex or what?

Dr. M. S. Miller

Not necessarily in that order.

Mr. Fowler

The hon. Member for East Kilbride (Dr. Miller) says "Not necessarily in that order." All the same, the mind boggles at what could come to pass. I should point out to the House that British Rail intends to increase the non-smoking accommodation on trains. However, the Government do not wish to lay down general rules in this area.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he did what my right hon. Friend the Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins) advocates he would simply reduce the number of people travelling by rail and make them use their motor cars, which would make no sense at all?

Mr. Fowler

My hon. Friend's comment is very sensible.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Is the Secretary of State aware that one of our greatest parliamentarians said that smoking never hurt him? He lived to the age of 90.

Mr. Fowler

That is so and is a further reason why Government should not seek to intervene in this matter.

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