§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether he will refer the pricing policies of Roche Ltd. to the Price Commission.
§ Mr. MaclennanNo. The company in question was recently the subject of a searching inquiry by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. The prices of a large proportion of its medical products are subject to the supervision of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services under the voluntary price regulation scheme. The company's products which are not covered by the scheme are subject to the provisions of the Price Code.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will refer the increase in his retail price of Declinax, Vallium and Librium to the Price Commission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclennanI see no reason for such a reference. The prices of Vallium and Librium were reduced following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report in 1973. All these products are now within the voluntary price regulation scheme administered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.