§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) what is the cost to public funds of his programme to dissuade civil servants from smoking;
(2) what advice or instructions have been given to civil servants about smoking; for what purpose; and whether he has taken any steps to ensure such advice or instructions are observed.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe Civil Service Department issued guidance to Departments in 1978 drawing attention to Government policy on the discouraging of smoking because of its effect on health and advising on its application within the Civil Service. Departments were asked to take such steps as might be practicable to mount health educational programmes, and, where it could be achieved without significant additional cost, accommodation or manpower, and with no loss of efficiency, to consider sympathetically any proposal for separating smokers and non-smokers. Suitable request notices and Health Education Council material were made available to discourage smoking in circumstances where non-smokers might be put to discomfort. Further guidance reaffirming this policy will shortly be issued.
The cost to public funds is minimal and cannot be separately identified.