5. Mrs. Slaterasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the high cost of diabetic packs compared with the value of the goods in them; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. BraineThe price to the National Health Service of one of the two packs in common use has recently been reduced and my right hon. Friend has no reason to question it. Discussions about the price of the second pack are in progress with the manufacturer.
Mrs. SlaterI am not only concerned with the price to the National Health Service, which is an important factor, but with the fact that some of the people who buy these packs themselves are asked to pay 10s. for a pack, which is a small Perspex case, when the commodity in it costs about 4s. 9d. Thus, they are paying 5s. 3d. for the small pack. If this is happening in the 5 National Health Service, is it not time that steps were taken to see that the National Health Service and the private person who buys these packs are not asked to pay such high prices merely for the pack which contains the commodity? These firms have been looked at before now.
§ Mr. BraineThe hon. Lady could not have heard my Answer. I said that the price of one of the two packs in common use has recently been reduced. I have no information which supports the suggestion that the pack costs as much as she says. If she will give me information I will certainly look into it. All I would say is that discussions about manufacturing costs and prices in respect of the second pack are under way now.
§ Mr. BraineSince 1st October, it has been reduced to 8s. 2d.