§ 44. Dr. HOWITTasked the Lord President of the Council if he will direct the Medical Research Council to investigate and report upon the possibilities of the manufacture of insulin under licence and its cheaper supply in this country?
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)I understand that the production of insulin has been brought to a high state of efficiency, not least in this country, and that insulin of British manufacture is available to the public here at a small fraction of the original price of ten years ago. I am advised that there is no present prospect of scientific research leading to further material decrease in the economic cost of production. As there are no longer any patent rights in the process, licences in this particular respect are not required by manufacturers.
§ Sir FRANCIS FREMANTLEIs it not a fact that British insulin is being sold at 2s. per 100, and that the foreign price is 1s. 5d. with the prospect that it would come down to 1s. 3d. if the tax were removed?
§ Mr. BALDWINI should require notice of any question as to price
§ 56. Mr. BERNAYSasked the Minister of Labour the number of men, at the nearest available date, engaged in the production of insulin in Great Britain?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Henry Betterton)I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available
§ Mr. BERNAYSIs it not a fact that not more than 100 men are involved in the production of insulin in this country?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIt may be so; I do not know.
§ 63. Sir F. FREMANTLEasked the Minister of Health if he can make any estimate of the increased cost that will fall on hospitals and institutions under the control of his Department as the result of the recent decision limiting the importation of insulin?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)My hon. Friend will no doubt have seen recent announcements to the effect that no increase in the prices of the principal foreign supply of insulin will be made, while, as indicated in a reply given on behalf of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, on 11th December, an undertaking has been given on behalf of the British makers that their prices will not be raised as a result of the new duty. Accordingly on the information at; present before him my right hon. Friend sees no reason to suppose that any increased cost will fall upon local authorities responsible for the management of hospitals, but he will keep in touch with the position.
§ Sir F. FREMANTLEWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that at present the price of foreign insulin is 1s. 5d. and of British insulin 1s. 8d. to 2s.?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI would not accept that as a fact;.
§ Mr. DAVID GRENFELLIs there any reason why the House should not be informed of the relative prices of foreign and home-produced insulin so that the House may judge for itself?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREIf the hon. Member will put a question down, I shall be glad to give him the information.
§ 31. Wing-Commander JAMES (for Dr. O'DONOVAN)asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the recent decision to limit the importation of insulin, he will inquire into and inform this House as to the present position of the manufacture of insulin in this country?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI understand that British makers have for some time supplied a large part of the home demand for insulin and maintained a considerable export trade; that they now have large stocks; and that their output could be readily increased if necessary.