§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many deaths or pernicious side effects are known to his Department as having occurred in volunteers taking part in drug trials;
(2) how his Department decides whether a new drug has reached the stage when it is safe enough to be tried on human volunteers; and if drug companies are required to inform his Department of their preliminary work or any adverse reactions that may occur.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI shall let the right hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.