§ Lord FERMOYasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the increasing sale of poisons in the form of disinfectants and to the fact that suicides from drinking disinfectants have increased from seven in 1918 to 287 in 1928; whether this is a matter now being considered by his inter-Departmental Committee on the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts; when he expects the report of this body; and whether he proposes to schedule such disinfectants among the lists of poisons or to take any other action to limit the free sale of such products?
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§ Mr. CLYNESMy attention has not been called to the increasing sales referred to by the Noble Lord. The Report of the Departmental Committee on the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts, set up by the Lord President of the Council, is expected shortly and will be laid before Parliament. Under the existing law I have no power to add to the Schedule of Poisons, such power being vested in the Pharmaceutical Society, whose action has to be approved by the Privy Council.