Sir Patrick Cormack FSA

Conservative Party | Staffordshire South

Question on the smoking ban

Sir Patrick Cormack (South Staffordshire) (Con): Has the absurd and misguided proposition that no smoking signs be erected outside churches and cathedrals been withdrawn?

Ms Hewitt: I have to say that the whole issue of signage was fully debated in Committee, both in the House and another place, before the Health Bill received Royal Assent last year. None of the hon. Gentleman’s Conservative party colleagues raised any complaint or proposed any amendment at the time. The signage regulations introduced in England are less onerous than those in Scotland, which have not given rise to any problems. In Southwark cathedral, for instance, there are already public signs saying, “No mobile phones”, “No drinking”, and even, I am told, “We accept Visa”.