§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 13 March,Official Report, column 64, if he plans to increase the frequency of such meetings; whether he will inform the representatives of the medical professions of the outcome of meetings with the tobacco industry; and whether he will invite the representatives of the medical professions to attend as observers at future meetings with the tobacco industry.
§ Mr. MellorMeetings between Department of Health Ministers or officials and our expert advisory committees or other bodies with an interest in the health aspects of smoking are already frequent, and we do not consider an increase in frequency necessary. If pressing matters arise on which advice is needed, additional meetings are arranged. Meetings with representatives of the tobacco industry are confidential. This is the most effective way of carrying out negotiations or discussions on issues where there are strong commercial or trade interests involved. As a result, no reports can be issued to the medical profession, nor can representatives of the medical profession be invited to attend such meetings as observers. The Government have not, in any case, received any requests from members of the medical profession to be informed of the content of such meetings.