HC Deb 19 May 1969 vol 784 cc12-3
2. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is now in a position to announce the names of the persons whom he has invited to serve as members of the Medicines Commission.

Mr. Ennals

I cannot yet add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Hampstead (Mr. Whitaker) and for Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt) on 22nd April and 12th May.—[Vol. 782, c. 69–70. Vol. 783, c. 962–3.]

Mr. Fisher

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that delay in announcing the names of the members of the Commission is causing delay also in the issue of regulations, so that firms cannot make their own arrangements for such matters as tablet markings, containers, packs and so on? Will he at least assure the House that he is making advance arrangements for accommodation of the staff of the Commission's secretariat, since already even in the excellent Dunlop Committee's work, owing to under-staffing, there are considerable delays?

Mr. Speaker

Order. Long supplementary questions and long answers mean fewer questions and fewer answers.

Mr. Ennals

A good deal of consultation has to be done because a whole range of interests must be represented on the Medicines Commission. I can give the hon. Gentleman an assurance that it is our expectation to announce the names before the end of the summer.

Mr. Whitaker

Is it not also a fact that the Health Service would be richer by over £1 million a year if non-proprietary medicines were prescribed instead of their brand equivalents? Will the Commission be able to deal with that matter, or, if not, will the Minister?

Mr. Ennals

With respect, that is a different question. If my hon. Friend will put a Question down, I shall do my best to answer it.

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

Is it the work of the Dunlop Committee being taken over by the Medicines Commission or is it the additional work imposed by the Act which is causing the delay?

Mr. Ennals

There is consultation about the additional work caused by the Act. There is consultation about the membership of the Commission and how it should best be composed. This is the reason why we have not yet been able to announce the names. We want to get the Commission exactly right; it is a very important body.