To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions about reduced ignition propensity cigarettes officials in his Department have had with representatives of the Tobacco Manufacturers Association. (107422)

Following the Government’s written ministerial statement on Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarettes on 24 July 2006, Official Report, column 67W5, the Tobacco Manufacturers Association arranged a presentation for officials from the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Health on 5 October, setting out their concerns regarding the introduction of reduced ignition propensity of cigarettes and a possible European technical standard.