asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of treating smoking-related diseases each year from 1974–75 to the latest available date; how many days were lost from work because of these diseases; and what was the cost to the nation.

In 1970–71 an estimate of £36 million—£85 million at 1976 prices—was made of the total annual health care costs incurred by the hospital, family doctor and general pharmaceutical services in the treatment of smoking-related diseases; the Department has not made a more recent or a wider estimate.On days lost from work because of diseases associated with smoking I am not able to add to my predecessor's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 29th June.—[Vol. 914, c.