§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give an asurance that the world shortage of benzene and its consequent effect on the supply of polystyrene will not affect the supply of essential equipment such as syringes, tubes for tissue culture and petri dishes to the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThe supply consequences of the world shortage of benzene are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry but my officers have been in touch with him about possible effects on certain medical supplies. So far suppliers of polystyrene have co-operated in meeting major difficulties and our Departments are jointly keeping the position under review.