Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what guidance has been issued to local authorities and other Government departments on engagement with the (a) British Soft Drinks Association, (b) Food and Drinks Federation, (c) Wines and Spirits Association and (d) Tobacco Manufacturers Association.

The Ministerial Code and Civil Service Code set out guidance on accepting gifts or hospitality. Information about gifts and hospitality received by Ministers, overseas travel and meetings with external organisations is published quarterly in arrears on the GOV.UK website. This information is available at:

www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministerial-gifts-hospitality-overseas-travel-and-meetings

No further guidance has been issued to local authorities or other Government Departments on engagement with the British Soft Drinks Association, Food and Drink Federation, Wine and Spirit Trade Association or Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association.

In 2013, the Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office published Guidelines for overseas posts on support to the tobacco industry. These guidelines are available at:

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287119/Guidance_for_Overseas_Posts_on_support_to_the_Tobacco_Industry.pdf