Examination of Witnesses (Questions 3402-345)
MR ROB
HAYWARD OBE, MR
JOHN HUTSON,
MR NICK
BISH, MR
BOB COTTON
OBE AND MR
TONY PAYNE
17 NOVEMBER 2005
Q340 Chairman: And Wales?
Mr Cotton: Wales, I think, is
going to ask for permission. I understand very clearly Wales is
going to follow the Scottish route.
Q341 Chairman: They will be empowered
to do that if they want. I understand they took a principle decision
on this.
Mr Cotton: They have already,
I understand.
Q342 Chairman: People who are representing
Wales will be looking at it differently to England, and Scotland
is the same presumably?
Mr Cotton: When we are promoting
Britain overseas for tourism that we have different rules in different
parts of Britain, I find, is not going to help our tourism business
either.
Q343 Jim Dowd: But that is true of
the United States.
Mr Cotton: Fine. That was in California.
The United States is a very big country.
Q344 Jim Dowd: In Colorado it is
different again?
Mr Hayward: I think in Scotland
you had a total ban implemented very quickly. In Wales the indications
are that they have taken the decision in principle but there is
an element of timing, which will be somewhat longer than in Scotland,
and I think what we have all argued is that we should have a consistency
of time. If I can throw in two quick observations, because they
have not come up at any point. I think we are all united: the
one thing we do not want is local authorities with different operations,
that there should be a consistency across the whole of England;
and, secondly, just as a very small point, in the proposed legislation
there is the requirement on signage, but as it currently stands
you would actually be required, even though it is a no-smoking
building, to put up a sign in here saying, "No Smoking",
and the regulatory burden needs to be addressed overall on the
subject.
Mr Bish: The reverse in fact:
if the presumption is no smoking therefore it is only the smoking
places such as remain that should be signed, because this just
does not apply to the hospitality industry, and I am sure it has
been brought to your attention that it is every single business
in every single office-block up and down the land and the VAT
man will tell you how many businesses that involves, but it is
a lot.
Q345 Chairman: It looks like this
is going to be fun. Could I thank you all for coming along and
giving evidence in such an open and honest way. If you have anything
further on areas we have discussed you sending to us we would
be more than happy to receive it.
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