§ 37. Mr. LECKIEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to repeal or reduce the import duty on insulin?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThe position with regard to prices of insulin is being closely watched. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the price of foreign insulin has not been increased, and that the price of British insulin has recently been reduced.
§ 39 and 40. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Minister of Health (1) the price of British and imported insulin; and whether he can now give an estimate of the additional cost to the hospitals of this country due to the 33⅓ per cent. tax upon imported insulin;
(2) the quantities of British and foreign insulin, respectively, sold in the United Kingdom in 1933, with the price per 100 units, wholesale and retail?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)Throughout 1933 the price per 100 units to the consumer of two of the three brands of British insulin was 2s., of the third 1s. 8d., and of the principal imported brand 1s. 5d. My right hon. Friend has no information as to the quantities sold. On 11th January, 1934, the price of two British brands was reduced to 1s. 10d., and of the third to 1s. 5d. with corresponding reductions in wholesale prices. There has been no change in the price of imported insulin since the additional import duty was imposed.