HC Deb 17 May 1956 vol 552 c2188
16. Mr. Snow

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value in United States dollars of the sums authorised by him for remittance to the United States of America, for the years 1954, 1955 and to the latest convenient date in 1956, by United Kingdom proprietary pharmaceutical manufacturers producing under private licence from United States patent holders.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury(Sir Edward Boyle)

I regret we have no figures either on the basis of authorisations or of actual remittances to the U.S. which distinguish payments by U.K. pharmaceutical manufacturers in respect of proprietary rights.

Mr. Snow

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I had a similar Answer from the Minister of Health? Is he also aware that, during the debate on the Guillebaud Report, alarming evidence was provided from both sides about the increase in the prescribing of these drugs, which are manufactured under licence in this country, but for which dollar remittances have to be made? Will he look into the matter?

Sir E. Boyle

If the hon. Member likes to send me any information, I will, of course, look into it, but we have no official figures.