§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) the effectiveness of his Department' s no-smoking policy and (b) the proportion of his Department's offices that do not allow smoking.[125158]
§ Dr. MoonieMy Department's aim, in line with wider Government policy, is to create a non-smoking working environment in so far as this reflects the wishes of staff. Detailed guidance on this policy is promulgated in the "Departmental Health and Safety Handbook, Joint Service Publication 375", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
The implementation of departmental policy on smoking, in common with other health and safety matters, is a local line management responsibility, and consequently, no central record is held on the proportion of the Department's offices that do not allow smoking. This information could, therefore, be provided only at disproportionate cost.