§ 6. Mr. McENTEEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the facts disclosed in an inquest at Paddington, on Saturday last, in regard to the accessibility of drugs to the general public of the nitrophenol class; and whether it is proposed to take any action in the matter?
§ The Secretary of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)Yes, Sir. I have received a report from which it appears that this unfortunate girl died from an overdose of a drug of the class mentioned. The Poisons Board, set up to advise me under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act of last year, is actively engaged in considering the restrictions to be applied to this and other poisons, but meanwhile it is clearly desirable that this drug should be placed under the utmost restriction possible. I am accordingly in consultation with the Lord President of the Council and the Pharmaceutical Society who, until the new Act is brought into force, are the responsible authorities, with a view to its being scheduled as a 1364 poison at the earliest possible date. I am also proposing to take up the matter with the manufacturers, with a view to the adoption of any further possible precautions.
§ Sir REGINALD BANKSIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Coroner stated that the manufacturers had in fact taken ample precautions against the misuse of the drug by warning on the bottle and otherwise, and that nobody was to blame except the unfortunate young lady who disregarded the instructions?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, Sir. I think that that accurately describes it.