§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what discussions he has had during the summer with the chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines on problems related to Depo-Provera;
(2) when he expects the result of the public inquiry into uses of Depo-Provera;
(3) what steps he has taken to make inquiries of other Governments about their assessment of the safety or otherwise of the use of Depo-Provera;
(4) whether, pursuant to his answer, Official Report, 17 June, 1982, c. 326, he will reassess the need to give priority to commercial reasons, in respect of confidentiality in relation to Depo-Provera.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke:We have had no discussions during the Summer Recess with the chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines about the licensing of Depo-Provera. The company's representations regarding the licensing authority's proposal to refuse a licence for Depo-Provera for long term use are to be heard on 8 and 9 November 1982 and in the week commencing 25 April 1983 by a panel appointed by the licensing authority, but I do not know when the panel will complete its work. The licensing authority is aware of the decisions of regulatory authorities relating to the licensing of Depo-Provera in other countries. I remain of the view that the data submitted to the licensing authority by the company in support of its application for a product licence must remain confidential.