§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the total cost of the four journals sent free of charge by drug companies to 20,165 general practitioners in England each week, the two others sent each fortnight, 184W the 10 others sent each month, and the two others sent bi-monthly, and of the total expenditure on postage for the 7,640,000 packets mailed; if this promotional expenditure is itemised in the accounts which he negotiates upon in accordance with the Voluntary Price Regulation Scheme of the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleThe costs of these journals is not itemised separately in the returns made under the price regulation scheme and I cannot, therefore, give the estimates requested. The reduction in sales promotion expenditure accepted under the scheme which was announced last July applies to expenditure on such journals as well as to other forms of promotion. The allowable costs of expenditure on all forms of acceptable sales promotion will be reduced by 4 per cent. of the value of the industry's sales by 1979.