Written question asked by Lord Bannside (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 10 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 October 2006. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 October 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Smoking

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the draft regulation proposing the exemption from the smoke-free provisions of the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 for a designated room in a research or testing facility would enable the continuation of all research and testing undertaken by Gallaher Ltd. at their Lisnafillan premises.

Answer: The draft regulations setting out a proposed exemption for research and testing facilities were issued for public consultation on 22 September. During a recent exchange of correspondence with my officials, Gallaher was invited to specify in its response to the consultation exercise, what, if any, functions currently performed in the research and development facility at Lisnafillan would be in breach of the Northern Ireland regulations as currently drafted.My officials will give very careful consideration to Gallaher’s response.

Secondary information