§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Supply (1) whether he will consider the appointment of a representative of authoritative herbalist associations to the Vegetable Drug Committee;
(2) whether he is aware that if great quantities of suitable herbs are to be gathered organised collections must begin at once, otherwise the roots will decline and not grow again until next year; will he consider the operation of a scheme at an early date, and invite medical and herbal practitioners and pharmacists to co-operate in their respective areas in an advisory capacity?
§ Mr. PeatThe Vegetable Drugs Committee is an inter-departmental committee and all its members are representative of official or semi-official bodies. My right hon. Friend does not propose to extend the membership of this committee but he would be glad if members of herbalist associations would assist the county herb committees, of which there are already 58 in England and Wales. I am sending the hon. Member a list of these committees. The collection of medicinal herbs has already begun and medical and herbal practitioners and pharmacists are cooperating in many parts of the country and are in fact serving on many of the county committees.