HC Deb 05 April 1955 vol 539 c976
10. Mrs. L. Jeger

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and value of import licences currently issued by his Department in respect of hydrocortisone acetate ointment.

Mr. Low

Ninety-one, to a value of £321, since 1st January, 1955.

Mrs. Jeger

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the ointment is, in fact, manufactured in this country near Folkestone, and that it is only because of the unhelpful attitude of the Minister of Health that doctors outside the hospital service can only get hold of the ointment by re-importing it? Does he not agree that it is a waste of everybody's time, and will he have a word with the Minister of Health to see whether the situation can be improved?

Mr. Low

The Question relates, of course, to imports, which are allowed in certain circumstances. I cannot believe that the hon. Lady would like to deprive the people who are allowed to import the ointment of the right to do so.