§ Mr. Percivalasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to encourage hospitals to buy drugs and other medical products from British-owned companies, rather than from American-owned companies, since British medical products sold in the USA are subject to a customs duty of over 20 per cent., whereas American medical products are admitted on payment of less than 10 per cent. customs duty.
§ Dr. OwenThe duties charged on drugs and medical equipment imported into the United States range from zero to 25 per cent. The duties charged on such American imports into the United Kingdom range from 3.1 per cent. to 20.6 per cent. I would not consider it desirable to restrict the selection of medical supplies by reference to national tariff levels.