HC Deb 25 January 1971 vol 810 cc50-1W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that the General Sales List Committee set up by the Medicines Committee does not include any representation from the non-qualified Retail Trade; and if he will explain why Mr. L. Reeves-Smith, National Secretary of the National Grocers Federation, whose nomination was supported by various organisations represnting over 600,000 members, was omitted from the Committee.

Mr. Alison

Yes. The General Sale Lists Committee was appointed by the Medicines Commission with the approval of the United Kingdom Health and Agriculture Ministers who shared the Commission's view that, having regard to the criterion of "reasonable safety" laid down in Section 51 of the Medicines Act, 1968, it was inappropriate to reflect retail interests of any kind in the membership of the Committee. In common with other organisations, these interests have been given the opportunity of submitting details of the products which they would like to see in the general sale lists.