HC Deb 16 November 1911 vol 31 cc517-8
Mr. LYNCH

asked whether, amongst the patent medicines sold in this country, there are some of which the advertisements are merely thin disguises for the suggestion of illegal practices, and that the consequences in a number of cases do not rest with the immediate result sought but produce severe general poisoning, such as lead-poisoning; and whether steps will be taken to put a stop to or mitigate these evils?

Mr. McKENNA

I am aware that some of the advertisements suggest illegal practices, but they are in such veiled language and in many cases the drugs are, in fact, so innocuous that it would be impossible to prosecute successfully. This will be a matter for the consideration of the proposed Select Committee.

Mr. LYNCH

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman is in a position to state the general character of the Select Committee he has promised to appoint next Session to consider the question of patent medicines, particularly in regard to the terms of reference and the adequate representation thereon of medical opinion?

Mr. McKENNA

I am not yet in a position to make any announcement.

Mr. LYNCH

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the fact that many of the patent medicines sold in this country consist mainly of cheap and innocuous drugs sold at fifty times their real value, he will issue as a Parliamentary Paper a statement of the analyses of the more prominent of such patent medicines, or will take steps to give wider publicity in the general interest to the results of analyses of popular patent medicines obtained by the experts employed by the British Medical Journal?

Mr. McKENNA

The analyses published by the British Medical Journal are, no doubt, most useful, but I think the hon. Member will understand that I cannot, without independent investigation, adopt and publish them officially. The question is one I must leave to the Select Committee.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Is anything being done to accelerate the appointment of this Committee?

Mr. McKENNA

I have stated already that I propose to appoint the Committee next Session. It will be appointed early.