HC Deb 05 December 1966 vol 737 c916
9. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken towards setting up a pilot scheme for the treatment of drug addiction.

Mr. K. Robinson

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Cheadle (Dr. Winstanley) on 24th November.—[Vol. 736, c. 354.] A further meeting of the conference of experts will take place next week.

Mrs. Short

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the considerable concern on both sides of the House about the lack of progress since the publication of the Brain Report? What is being done about the register of addicts, about over-prescribing by doctors and about treatment centres? Is he aware that several doctors have ceased to treat addicts and that this is of grave concern to us all'?

Mr. Robinson

I am aware of the concern in the House generally about this problem. I assure my hon. Friend that we are not by any means inactive in this matter, and that, in any case two of the things she asks for would require legislation and I am not yet in a position to make a statement about that.