Health written question – answered at on 15 June 2009.
Stephen Ladyman
Labour, South Thanet
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consult the National Federation of Retail Newsagents on the provisions contained in Part 3 of the Health Bill [ Lords].
Gillian Merron
Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health
The Department's policy has always been to consult interested stakeholders. This includes consultation on tobacco policy and legislation.
The National Federation of Retail Newsagents provided a consultation response to the 'Consultation on the future of tobacco control' which was reflected in the report on that consultation, which considered the legislation on prohibiting tobacco displays.
The National Federation of Retail Newsagents met Baroness Thornton during the passage of the Health Bill through the House of Lords and are setting a date to meet departmental officials during the passage of the Bill through the House of Commons.
Yes2 people think so
No2 people think not
Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.
The house of Lords is the upper chamber of the Houses of Parliament. It is filled with Lords (I.E. Lords, Dukes, Baron/esses, Earls, Marquis/esses, Viscounts, Count/esses, etc.) The Lords consider proposals from the EU or from the commons. They can then reject a bill, accept it, or make amendments. If a bill is rejected, the commons can send it back to the lords for re-discussion. The Lords cannot stop a bill for longer than one parliamentary session. If a bill is accepted, it is forwarded to the Queen, who will then sign it and make it law. If a bill is amended, the amended bill is sent back to the House of Commons for discussion.
The Lords are not elected; they are appointed. Lords can take a "whip", that is to say, they can choose a party to represent. Currently, most Peers are Conservative.
