§ 92. Mr. Milneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to institute an inquiry into the drug and pharmaceutical industry with a view to examining the possibilities of a transfer to public ownership in this field.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe Committee of Inquiry under the chairmanship of Lord Sainsbury examined such possibilities but did not recommend transfer to public ownership.
§ 93. Mr. Milneasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek powers to enable him to institute an inquiry into the moneys spent on advertising in the drug and pharmaceutical industries.
§ Mr. CrossmanThe cost of sales promotion is one of the matters on which we shall obtain information from individual firms under the new voluntary price regulation scheme for National Health Service medicines and I do not foresee any need for additional powers at present.