Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 22 December 2017 to Question 120096, on Tobacco, what informal or other communication his Department has had with those groups; and if he will make a statement.

The process for tendering for the grant scheme to support delivery of the new Tobacco Control Plan has yet to commence. Officials have informed representatives of Action on Smoking and Health on progress with this process, and have reminded them that any grant will be awarded on a competitive basis, in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines. All interested applicants will need to follow the terms and conditions of the tender after the invitation for bids has been announced.