33. Mr. F. HALLasked the Secretary to the Treasury if a person holding the Apothecaries Society's certificate for dispensing, who has passed the Apothecaries Hall examination, has duly served his apprenticeship, passed the preliminary examination of the Pharmaceutical Society, compounded and dispensed medicines for thirty-six years, is now eligible to dispense under the National Insurance Act; and, if not, will he explain why?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to similar questions on the 5th instant. Section 15 (5) (iv.) of the National Insurance Act provides that nothing in the Act shall interfere with the rights and privileges conferred by the Apothecaries Act, 1815, upon any person qualified under that Act to act as an assistant to any apothecary in compounding and dispensing medicines.
Mr. F. HALLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will kindly say "Yes" or "No" whether this person is eligible to dispense? It is a most important matter.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think I shall require more information as to the exact position this person occupies. I have referred the hon. Member to the Section of the Act which deals with the matter.
Mr. F. HALLI think the question gives the whole of the information, and I should like to have a direct answer.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere are many questions to which you cannot answer "Yes" or "No." The hon. Member has had a full statement, and he can refer to any questions which have already been answered.
39. MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether quantity and price are mentioned in the arrangements with chemists for the supply of drugs and dressings but no mention of quality is made; and, seeing that the result is quantity and price and deterioration of quality known as the "insurance quality," will he state what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Noble Lord is under a misapprehension. The agreements with the chemists stipulate explicitly that all drugs and appliances shall be of good quality.