To ask Her Majesty's Government how many representations from organisations funded in whole or in part by the Government they have received in favour of a ban on the open display of tobacco products in shops, and how many individuals are represented by those organisations. [HL1292]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many representations from organisations they have received against a ban on the open display of tobacco products in shops; and how many individuals are represented by those organisations. [HL1293]

The Consultation on the Future of Tobacco Control, published July 2008, is available in the Library.

The department received around 10,000 responses from small retailers, including pre-prepared postcards and emails made available to respondents by third parties, 11 responses from individual larger retailers and 21 responses from retail industry representative organisations, including trade associations.

The department received seven responses from organisations that receive funding directly from the department for programmes of work related to smoking. Identification of respondents that receive funding from the department for other purposes could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

The department received over 85,000 responses from members of the public, including pre-prepared postcards and e-mails made available to respondents by third parties.

Various organisations which responded to the consultation claim to represent certain numbers of members and/or supporters. The department has no way of verifying the accuracy of such claims.