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Proceeding contribution from Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour) in the House of Lords on Monday, 15 May 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee proceeding on Health Bill.


Health Bill

I thank the noble Lord for that intervention. It is really amazing that only the British Isles—all of them—have gone down this path. Every other country goes down the path that we have been suggesting: the reasonable path of separation, which really should be satisfactory to everyone. I could go into a long rigmarole about the damage done by other people to society. I mentioned the damage done by vehicle emissions to the environment, people’s health and people’s lives and how they have affected people’s illnesses. Bearing in mind all the damage done by other substances, I do not know where on earth we are heading if we cannot agree that people may wish to smoke in a public house or a restaurant in separated circumstances. That is an undoubted infringement of people’s individual rights, which they have enjoyed in this country for hundreds of years. I suppose that before very long they will say that coffee is bad for you. In fact, there is a move against coffee houses at the moment. Just exactly where are we going? We are not saying that people should have to inhale other people’s smoke. All we are saying—and I repeat it for the last time in this Committee—is ““separation””. Please will the Government listen?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
682 c22GC 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
Codes of practice Age Hospitals Fixed penalties Health hazards Fines Hygiene Infectious diseases NHS Powers of entry MRSA Working conditions Sales Young people Shipping Smoking Territorial waters
Legislation
Health Bill 2005-06
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk