§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he is taking to persuade GNER to follow the example of Virgin Rail in banning smoking on all trains; [134969]
(2) what plans he has to bring together the Health and Safety Executive, train operators and Network Rail to discuss the impact on public health of smoking at railway stations and on trains. [134970]
§ Mr. McNultyThere are no such plans. Under the Railways Act 1993 (as amended by the Transport Act 2000) train operating companies may regulate smoking in railway carriages and at their stations. It is a matter for the train operators to decide whether, and where, to permit smoking.