Mr. Whiteasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the widespread advertising of patent medicines, often with an appeal to fear, leads large numbers of people to treat their own ailments instead of using the medical services available under the National Health Insurance Acts; and whether, as the repeal of the Medicine Duties will stimulate such advertising, he will reconsider the proposal for repeal?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have no specific evidence that any large number of insured848W persons treat their own ailments instead of consulting their Insurance doctors and my hon. Friend can be assured that this was among the matters considered before my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the decision to repeal the Medicine Stamp Duties.