HC Deb 19 May 1969 vol 784 cc32-3
42. Mr. William Wells

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in view of the number of cases of poisoning of children through their mistaking pills for sweets, whether he will take steps to ensure that manufacturers' products are readily distinguishable as such.

Mr. Ennals

I cannot at present add to the replies my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department gave to similar Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Gwilym Roberts) and the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Sir J. Langford-Holt) on 20th March.—[Vol. 780, c. 714–15.]

Mr. Wells

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that in Walsall alone over the Easter holiday more than ten children were poisoned in this way? If this is a specimen of what happens over a holiday period, it adds up to a serious social problem.

Mr. Ennals

Certainly I am distressed to hear of the figures from my home town of Walsall. There are two points. Under Section 88 of the Medicines Act, 1968, we may make regulations to govern the colour, shape and marking of particular types of medicines. Until this can be done, the most important thing is for all parents to ensure that medicines are kept securely locked away from children. The more publicity that can be given to this the better.