§ 15. Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of deformed babies so far born whose deformity can be directly attributed to 22 the use of the drug thalidomide by their mothers during pregnancy.
§ Mr. PowellThis cannot be known exactly, but is less than the 390–302 surviving—whose mothers took or may have taken thalidomide at some stage of pregnancy.
§ Sir T. MooreIn view of the tragedies recently revealed, will my right hon. Friend take powers to prohibit any manufacturer putting any drug on the market until it has been submitted to him and approved by him and his medical advisers? If he has not this power, I am sure that Parliament would willingly give it to him.
§ Mr. PowellThis is a matter on which I am receiving advice from my Standing Medical Advisory Committee. I have already made an interim statement to the House, and I shall make another as soon as I receive its further advice, which I am expecting.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonSince this is an urgent matter, can the Minister say when he is likely to receive the final report of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee on the matter?
§ Mr. PowellI do not know that the next will necessarily be the final report. As the hon. Gentleman appreciates, this is a matter with many ramifications which deserves very careful attention by the highest authorities. I should be reluctant to press them, but I know that they realise the time as well as the other aspects.