§ 59. Colonel Lyonsasked the Minister of Supply what steps have now been taken to secure mass production of penicillin.
§ The Minister of Supply (Sir Andrew Duncan)Seven plants, six of which are pilot plants, are at present producing penicillin in this country. Nine large-scale plants are expected to come into operation at various dates within the next six months. Two of them are about to start production.
§ Colonel LyonsIs the Minister cognisant of the rapid strides made in America and Canada in the use of this very valuable drug? Can he not co-operate with the authorities there to get some machinery here?
§ Sir A. DuncanWe are in the closest touch with organisations in America and Canada and we have the active assistance of one of the American firms in one of the plants that we are putting up.