AUTHORISATION OF ACTIVITIES OTHERWISE UNLAWFUL UNDER FOREGOING PROVI SIONS

HC Deb 09 December 1970 vol 808 cc578-9

Mr. Ogden

I beg to move, Amendment No. 2, in page 6, line 16, leave out' retail phramacist acting' and insert: 'a person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business acting in either case'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

I suggest that it would be convenient for the House to discuss at the same time the following Amendments: No. 3 in line 21, leave out 'retail pharmacist' and insert: 'person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business'. No. 4 in line 30, leave out ' retail pharmacists' and insert 'persons lawfully conducting retail pharmacy businesses'. No. 10 in page 26, line 13, Clause 37, at end insert: 'person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business", subject to subsection (5) below, means a person lawfully conducting such a business in accordance with section 69 of the Medicines Act 1968;'. No. 11 in line 14 leave out '(except in the expression "retail pharmacist")'. No. 13 in page 26, leave out lines 29 to 32.

No. 14 in page 27, line 10, leave out 'retail pharmacist' and insert: 'person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business'. No. 15 in line 12, leave out 'retail pharmacist' and insert: 'person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business'. No. 16 in line 18, leave out 'retail pharamcist' and insert: 'person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business'. No. 17 in line 20, leave out ' retail pharamcist' and insert: 'person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business'.

Mr. Ogden

The purpose of these Amendments is to delete the words "retail pharmacist" wherever they appear in the Bill, and replace them with the words person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business". The words that I prefer are taken from the Medicines Act.

This again is a point which was made when the previous Bill received a Second Reading and when the present Bill was considered in Committee. It is not merely a matter of establishing a status symbol for those who practise pharmacy, or of suggesting that chemists are a lesser breed. It is based on the responsibilities that pharmacists have under the law, and it prompts the suggestion that in this Measure we should adopt the form of words appearing in legislation going as far back as 1932.

In Committee, the Minister of State said that he would consider Amendments in almost this form. I hope, therefore, that he will be able to accept this present form of words which, though cumbersome, are more precise.

Mr. Sharples

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on having put down these Amendments. They are in order, and I recommend their acceptance.

Mr. Ogden

I am most obliged to the hon. Gentleman.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: No. 3, in page 6, line 21, leave out 'retail pharmacist' and insert: 'person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business'.

No. 4, in line 30, leave out 'retail pharmacists' and insert: 'persons lawfully conducting retail pharmacy businesses'.—[Mr. Ogden.]