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Proceeding contribution from Patricia Hewitt (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 29 November 2005. It occurred during Debate on bill on Health Bill.


Health Bill

I regret that the hon. Gentleman did not tell us whether he supports the measure or not. It would appear that the Opposition cannot make up their mind whether there should be legislation. I have made it clear that in legislating on this matter, which is a matter that directly affects people’s own choices about how they behave, we have made the judgment that the right balance to strike is between banning smoking in virtually every enclosed public space and work space, and exempting the membership clubs and the licensed premises that do not serve food, in order to protect freedom of choice for that minority of people whom nobody is forcing to go into a pub that allows smoking, but some of whom none the less continue to do so.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
440 c156 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Codes of practice Care homes Accountability Clubs Cannabis Competition Fraud Hospitals Fees and charges Environment Health hazards Drugs Exemptions Hygiene Infectious diseases Food Licensed premises Hospital beds Private sector NHS Medical treatments Patients Prisons Public places Pharmacy Prescription drugs Primary care trusts Public houses Ophthalmic services MRSA Working conditions Standards Sales Training Safety Testing Smoking Contract cleaning Appointments Commission
Legislation
Health Bill 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk