Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions or other communications his Department has had with the Action on Smoking and Health or representatives of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health on the proposed tender for tobacco control in England; and if he will make a statement.

The Department is still considering the scope and procurement process for grants to support the implementation of the Tobacco Control Plan. As such there has been no formal communication with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) or any other organisation on the proposed tender for tobacco control in England. We have informed ASH that the tender process was yet to commence, and reiterated that the grant will be competed for, in line with Cabinet Office standards for new grants. All interested applicants will need to follow the terms and conditions of the tender after the invitation for bids has been announced.