Captain CRAIGasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of issuing regulations making it compulsory on all manufacturers of medicines liable to Patent Medicine Duty to print on the label on the bottle, or other vessel in which such is sold, the full ingredients of such bottles or vessels, as well as the diseases they purport to cure; and whether he will consider the advisability of increasing the size of the lettering of the Government stamp as a further pre- 2317 caution against ignorant people believing that the contents are guaranteed by the Government?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI am in communication with the Privy Council Office about the point raised in the first part of the question, but I am disposed to think that the matter may be one of sufficient importance for an inquiry by a Select Committee next Session. As regards the second part of the question, I am informed that new designs for medicine stamps have recently been adopted, and the printing plates are being prepared by the engravers. In the new designs it will be more clearly indicated that the stamp does not imply any Government guarantee.
Captain CRAIGCan the right hon. Gentleman say definitely whether a Select Committee will be appointed next Session?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI am disposed to think it is desirable; but I will ascertain the general opinion on the subject.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LYNCHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in certain foreign countries it is made a matter of obligation to print the full prescription in the case of patent medicines?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI dare say that is so.