My 10 minute rule motion seeking leave to introduce a Bill which would have allowed pubs and clubs to have a separate smoking room was defeated by 141 votes to 86 votes earlier today. Clearly this is an issue which arouses great passions on both sides of the debate.

If I could just make a brief comment about the administrative arrangements for my blog. All comments have to be approved by me and everyone will have noted I allow through all reasonable comments but I do reserve the right to refuse to allow people to post anything which is illegal or offensive. This does mean that there is a delay between comments being submitted and them appearing on the website for which I apologise. Can I also thank all those who have used my blog to contribute to the debate. I regret it is not possible for me to reply individually to all the posts.