§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what estimate his Department made during recent negotiations of the percentage of cigarette sales which will be affected by the recent agreement reached by his Department and the tobacco industry on phasing out of high-tar cigarette brands;
(2) if he will publish in the Official Report figures on the percentage of cigarettes sold in 1976 in each tar band as defined in the tar and nicotine tables issued by the health departments of the United Kingdom and which were discussed in recent negotiations; and how these figures compare with those for 1975, 1974 and 1973.
§ Mr. MoyleThe information is as follows:
Percentage of ex-factory sales in the United Kingdom of cigarettes in each tar group:
expects that an agreement will have been reached between his Department, the Advertising Standards Authority and the cigarette manufacturers on a new code of advertising practice for cigarettes.
§ Mr. MoyleI cannot forecast when the present discussions, which are being actively pursued by all concerned, will be completed, but I will announce the outcome to the House as soon as possible.