§ 29. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Health what has been the outcome of his consultations with the Secretary of State for the Home Department about the sale of Persomnia without prescription from a registered medical practitioner.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe matter has been referred by my right hon. Friend to the Poisons Board.
§ Mr. RankinWithout seeking to rush matters in any way, may I ask the Minister whether he has any idea when the Board will report?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have no precise indication. The Board is an independent statutory body advising the Home Secretary on these matters, and I have no doubt that it is proceeding with the greatest speed which is compatible with thoroughness and efficiency.
Mrs. SlaterIs not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this has 836 been going on for a very long time? The Poisons Board was asked to look at it some eighteen months ago. Will he not see whether it can be speeded up, in the interests of people who suffer from this problem?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe Board will report to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and not to me. I recognise the hon. Lady's interest in this matter over a period, but I am sure she agrees that although speed is desirable it is essential that we get the best and most authoritative advice on this problem.
§ Sir G. NicholsonIf it is a fact, as the hon. Lady said, that the members of the Board have been investigating this for eighteen months, perhaps they have taken some of the preparation themselves.