Clause 2 - Smoke-free premises
Health Bill
3:55 pm
Stephen Williams (Shadow Minister, Health; Bristol West, Liberal Democrat)
I am pleased that the hon. Member for Westbury (Dr. Murrison) said that this was a probing amendment, because we were puzzled about the intention behind it. There are many circumstances in which voluntary workers come into contact with the public—I am thinking of the charity shops that operate all over my constituency, and no doubt in those of all other hon. Members. I recently opened the Christmas card charity shop in my constituency. That is run entirely by volunteers in a church hall. If this amendment were to be agreed, I assume that it would be acceptable for the volunteers there to smoke, although they are in contact with the public in an entirely enclosed space. Charity concerts and fund-raising events would also be covered by the exemption if the amendment were accepted.
Earlier, my hon. Friend the Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) mentioned his oboe lessons. If he were giving an oboe recital—I do not know whether he is still capable of such things—