So, it seems MPs will get to vote on plain packaging next week, but there won't be a debate.

In the last hour the Telegraph's chief political correspondent Christopher Hope has reported that:

A ban on advertising on cigarette packets will become law through the House of Commons without a debate by MPs next week.

The controversial ban will be considered by a cross party committee of MPs on Monday and then – if the MPs agree – there will be a free vote without a debate on Wednesday.

The cross party committee that will consider the legislation is the House of Commons Delegated Legislation Committee whose members are:

Chair: Sir Roger Gale (Conservative)
Debbie Abrahams (Labour)
Luciana Berger (Labour)
Kevin Brennan (Labour)
Mr Russell Brown (Labour)
Paul Burstow (Lib Dem)
Neil Carmichael (Conservative)
Alex Cunningham (Labour)
Nick de Bois (Conservative)
Jane Ellison, Public Health Minister (Conservative)
Sir Edward Garnier (Conservative)
Richard Harrington (Conservative)
John Penrose (Conservative)
Chris Ruane (Labour)
Sir Andrew Stunell (Lib Dem)
Phil Wilson (Labour)
Sammy Wilson (DUP)

By our reckoning only three are opposed to plain packaging. A fourth is against but he's a government whip so he'll vote in favour.

Not looking good, but we knew that anyway.

Fury as Tory MPs denied a debate on plain packaging cigarette ban. Free vote on Wed; 100 MPs set to rebel. By me: http://t.co/EkV2K7Sxbd

— Christopher Hope (@christopherhope) March 5, 2015