§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if there has been any change in his policy towards the provision of a gluten-free diet for sufferers from multiple sclerosis; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. MoyleNo. Gluten-free products cannot be regarded as drugs prescribable at National Health Service expense for multiple sclerosis patients. In June 1974, the indepedent Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances recommended that there was no justification for regarding dietary supplements, including gluten-free items, as effective in the management of multiple sclerosis. I understand that a conference on multiple sclerosis arranged jointly in October 1974 by the Medical Research Council and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reached broadly the same conclusion.
Naturally, if fresh scientific evidence appears about any dietary supplement in relation to multiple sclerosis, it will be placed before the advisory committee without delay.