§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will institute talks with all British airlines with a view to securing that a higher proportion, i.e., approximately half, of the seats in 500W passenger aircraft shall constitute areas in which smoking is not permitted, and with a view to securing through design improvements and adaptation that smoking and non-smoking areas of aircraft are effectively separated.
§ Dr. OwenMy Department has for some time encouraged those responsible for public transport and public places to respond to the change in public opinion about smoking by increasing or introducing "no smoking" areas. Leading British airlines have "no smoking" accommodation in their aircraft and I understand that British Airways recently increased such accommodation to over 40 per cent. to accord with the wishes of their passengers.