Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Catherine McKinnell and Anna Soubry

Tuesday 16th April 2013 Commons Chamber

[Anna Soubry]

I shall be meeting the relevant Home Office Minister today to discuss that very issue, but let me repeat that, far from being a counterfeiter’s dream, the packets produced in Australia would clearly be a nightmare here. A variety of colours, watermarks and holograms, and all manner of other things, can be attached to them, which is why they are described as “standardised” rather than “plain”.

[Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) (Lab)]

20. This decision is taking too long, and those who care about the impact of smoking on children are at a loss to understand why. Given the U-turn on minimum alcohol pricing, the delaying of the sexual health strategy and, now, the stalling on standardised packaging, I must ask whether the Government have simply given up on public health.