HL Deb 16 June 1868 vol 192 cc1629-30

Amendments reported (according to Order).

LORD REDESDALE moved to insert a new clause to follow Clause 17;— From and after the 31st day of December, 1868, it shall not be lawful to sell any Poison in a Bottle unless such Bottle shall be of an singular Form, corrugated and opaque, to be thenceforth known and described as a Poison Bottle; and it shall not be lawful to sell any preparation not Poisonous in any such Bottle; and any Person offending against either of the aforesaid Provisions shall be liable to the Penalties hereinbefore en acted for selling Poison not distinctly labelled.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

doubted whether the noble Lord could have been fully aware of the consequences of proposing this clause—which, moreover, in its language was not reconcilable with some of the other clauses. The Bill, it should be remembered, referred to compounding as well as to selling, and did the noble Lord intend to render a chymist liable to the penalties of the Bill if he compounded a prescription which contained something poisonous but did not supply it in a bottle of the shape suggested in this clause?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

also expressed a hope that his noble Friend would not persist in his Amendment, which treated the subject with o minuteness and detail which ought only to proceed from an executive body such as the Board of Trade.

After a few words from Lord NORTH-BROOK,

LORD REDESDALE

said, that he must press the clause upon their Lordships, as he thought something ought to be done to protect the public with regard to the sale of poisons.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

suggested that the object of the noble Lord might be answered by the Pharmaceutical Society determining what the shape of the poison bottle should be, that shape being approved by the Privy Council, and advertised in the London Gazette.

EARL GRANVILLE

wished to know what were the views of Her Majesty's Government upon the question?

THE EARL OF MALMESBURY

What, upon the shape of the bottle?

LORD REDESDALE

said, that he would not divide the House now, but would move the clause on the third reading of the Bill.

Motion (by Leave of the House) withdrawn.

House adjourned at Seven o'clock, to Thursday next, half past Ten o'clock.