§ Mr. RAFFANasked the Home Secretary whether he can now state the date to which it is proposed to extend the general permit to persons bona fide engaged in the practice of dentistry prior to 28th July last to continue to use solutions containing not more than 1 per cent. of cocaine for the purposes of a local anæsthetic?
Mr. SAMUELAs I do not anticipate that the inquiry of the Committee will be a long one, I have extended the present permit till 15th December, and an announcement to that effect appears in this morning's newspapers. If, however, that should prove insufficient a further extension will, of course, be granted.
§ Mr. RAFFANasked whether the committee which is to inquire as to the practicability of continuing the general permit to unregistered practitioners of dentistry to use solutions containing not more than 1 per cent. of cocaine for the purposes of a local anæsthetic will be a Parliamentary Committee or a Departmental Committee; whether the terms of reference will be submitted to the House of Commons before the Committee is set up; whether the proceedings will be public; and whether a record of the evidence submitted will be published as a Parliamentary Paper?
Mr. SAMUELI would refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question 153. I shall be glad to consult my hon. Friend as to the terms of reference to the Committee. The proceedings of Departmental Committees are not held in public; but the minutes of evidence could, if necessary, be published as a Parliamentary Paper.