J~ A
BRITISH -AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY LTD
MEMORANDUM
To
From
R L 0 Ely Esq M J Leach
R e;. Dot,
MJL/PR 20 June 1984
3 RITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
We have been discussing the implications of the
recent House of Lords debate
on the RCP report and I am writing to suggest we
should get together with
Martin Cannon, Ray Thornton and John Russell
shortly, when we know more about
TAC's attitude towards the campaiar that the BMA
are apparently keen to
develoQ aga4lnst tobacco. There could well be
implications for BATCo.
For the House of Lords debate, and since the TAC
eventually decided not to
take action we explored the possibilities open to
SAT. RPL made an approach
to Lord Gainford once it was known who would be
speaking in the debate. In
the event, Lord Gainford did not feel he could
make a useful contribution.
There is a number of points that arise from this
project and I have been
discissing them with Martin Cannon, Ray Thornton
and John Russell:
1. On an ad hoc basis it will continue to be
difficult for SAT to encourage
a Peer or MP to take part in a debate. We will
have a better chance of
success if we seek such support as part of a
continuing relationship.
As we have said before, we cannot suddenly expect
friends to rally to our
support if we have not cultivated friendships. So
there is much to be
said for a continuing Parliamentary programme run
by BAT.
2. BAT should certainly be in a position to brief
Parliamentarians verbally
and to give thern background material. But in
addition, it is particularly
important to provide them, as they expect, with
succinct briefs which
identify clearly the points we wish to make.
Otherwise, we shall find
ourselves hamstrung when the need arises to
present our case effectively.
3. Martin believes that members of the Hcuse of
Commons will remain the
primary Parliamentary audiences with which BAT
should constantly seek to
establish a sound relationship. But this is not to
say we should neglect
those in the House of Lords who have expressed
interest in us.
4. The new information about anomalies is likely
to prove very useful to us.
5. Ray, who attended the Lords debate, says he was
surprised by the rather
arrogant views of the medical Peers who spoke and
by the number of out r"i
of date views expressed. He is writing a separate
note to us. C:)
BAT Industries document for Province of British
Columbia 29 October 1999


6. Wokiro remain the team leaders for
Parliamentary activizy relating our
UK ir:erests, including smoking and health issues.
Millbank lead on
developing country issues.
7. TAC is currently discussing a possible approach
to a c~Fmon position on
the smoking and health issue. Martin is drawing
attent"on in TAC to
the SNA campaign and we will note the implications
of the TAC's views
for BAT.
8. In summary, the Lords debate has served to
highlight the desirability
of oursuing Parliamentary relationships and of
creating circumstances
in which we can enlist the support at short notice
of Pz---liamentary
allies,
9. Once 11-'artin knows the TAC position, perhaps
we could ta.<=- the opportunity
to disciss the BMA campaign, its implications for
BAT, and what action
SATCc should be taking.
c.c. G K Richardson Esq
Dr R E Thornton
M G Cannon Esq
J Russell Esq
P.A. Department
r1 j
C=)
BAT Industries document for Province of British
Columbia 29 October 1999