§ 43. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now announce the names of the persons he proposes to appoint to serve on the Medicines Commission; when the first meeting will be held; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanA further statement must await the completion of consultations to which I referred in my reply on 22nd April to my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker).—[Vol. 782, c. 69–70.]
§ Mr. PavittWill my right hon. Friend pursue this matter with all urgency, remembering that a number of questions must be answered concerning the appointment of people to serve on the Medicines Commission? In the discussions that he is having, will he ensure that the teeth, so to speak, which the 963 Sainsbury Report offered in this matter are re-established in view of the fact that they were taken out by the Medicines Act?
§ Mr. CrossmanI have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion. I would remind him, when he refers to delay and the need for urgency, that about 40 bodies must be consulted.
§ Mr. DeanWill the right hon. Gentleman push ahead as fast as he can with this matter? Does he realise how undesirable it is for there to be a long delay between an Act coming into force and it being put into operation through the Medicines Commission?
§ Mr. CrossmanI accept the pressure from both sides of the House on this matter.