§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, if he will explain the reasons for his decision to place restrictions on the circumstances in which Clobazam may be prescribed; if he will reconsider his decision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe were advised by the Chief Medical Officer's panel of independent medical and pharmaceutical experts that Clobazam was essential for the treatment of certain types of epilepsy but not in its use solely as a tranquilliser. Other tranquillisers have similar effects for all cases other than epilepsy and are much cheaper. To make Clobazam generally available as a tranquilliser would therefore entail a substantial amount of unnecessary expenditure.