Tobacco (Hansard, 12 February 2001)

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will meet representatives of British American Tobacco prior to 24 February. [149883]

§ Ms Hewitt
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is currently considering a number of requests for meetings about the draft EU Directive on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products including one from British American Tobacco.

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies he has made on the economic impact of the European Directive on Tobacco Control. [149882]

§ Ms Hewitt
None. However, the European Commission has undertaken such a study.

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding the European Directive on Tobacco Control; and if he will make a statement. [149881]

§ Ms Hewitt
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received a number of representations from MPs, MEPs, firms, trade union representatives and individuals about aspects of the draft EU Directive on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products.

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the impact on employment of the European Directive on Tobacco Control. [149884]

§ Ms Hewitt
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry understands the concerns that have been raised about the possible impact on employment of certain aspects of the draft EU Directive on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products. However, he does not accept that job losses and factory closures are inevitable if the directive is passed as currently worded.