Written question asked by Ashok Kumar (Labour) on Monday, 29 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 December 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 6 December 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the percentage of pubs in the (a) Northern region and (b) Tees Valley area which serve food which will cease to do so when the smoking ban is implemented. - Includes no figures.(Printed in Daily Part on 27.01.2005 at 430 c562-3).

Answer: Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of pubs in the (a) Northern region and (b) Tees Valley area which serve food which will cease to do so when the smoking ban is implemented. [201503] Miss Melanie Johnson: In the White Paper we estimated that 10 to 30 per cent. of pubs in England might fall into the category of "do not prepare food". A regional breakdown of this figure has not been made. We believe that with food providing an increasing proportion of most pubs' turnovers, it is reasonable for the Government to proceed on the assumption that it makes good business sense for pub owners to continue to serve food. We will consult widely on this area in drawing up the detailed legislation.

Secondary information