§ Major WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the probihition of the purchase of cocaine extends to unqualified dental surgeons now in practice; and, if so, how soon do the Home Office contemplate changing their rule in this respect?
Mr. SAMUELYes, Sir; for the reasons which I explained to the House last Monday, I have not seen my way to include unregistered dentists among the classes of persons authorised by the Regulation to purchase cocaine. I have taken steps, however, to make available for the use of unregistered dentists a sufficient supply of novocaine, which is an efficient substitute for cocaine, and is used by many dentists, and as this supply is not immediately available for use in the form in which it is usually required by dentists, I have granted a temporary permit which will allow unregistered dentists to con- 691W tinue the use of cocaine in the interval. A full statement on the subject, issuel last week, appeared in the Press on Friday morning.