§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he makes of the level of offences under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 of supplying cigarettes to young persons; and if he is satisfied that the level of non-compliance with the law is reflected fully in the number of prosecutions.
§ Mr. HurdI am aware, as doubtless is my hon. Friend, of the findings of the OPCS study "Smoking Among Secondary School Children". The identification and prosecution of persons committing offences under this Act of supplying cigarettes to young persons is a matter for the operational discretion of chief officers of police.