§ 56. Mr. Ll. Williamsasked the Minister of Transport if he will give a general direction to the British Transport Commission to prohibit all smoking in single-decker buses and limit smoking to the upper deck of double-decker public transport buses which are owned and controlled by them.
§ Mr. HayNo. This is a question within the discretion of the Commission, as it is within the discretion of any other bus operator. As my right hon. Friend said recently in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Sir C. Osborne), we understand that the Commission keeps its practice on this matter constantly under review.
§ Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the recent report on smoking and lung cancer, he will give an assurance that he will not over-rule future decisions of the traffic commissioners to restrict smoking to the upper decks of public service vehicles.
§ Mr. MarplesWhile I appreciate the reason for the hon. Member's Question, I do not feel that it would be right for me to give the assurance he seeks, since I have to decide statutory appeals against the decisions of the Traffic Commissioners on the evidence and arguments before me in each case.