HC Deb 17 February 1949 vol 461 cc191-2W
64. Sir H. Morris-Jones

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the necessary facilities for an adequate supply of alpha tocopherol, vitamin E, to be imported into this country from Canada, in view of its proved efficacy in the treatment of certain cardio-vascular diseases.

83 and 84. Mr. Dumpleton

asked the Minister of Health (1) what application he has received from Bioglan Laboratories, Limited, for permission to import by air, for sterling, from Canada, finished Vita E gelucaps, which are urgently needed by the medical profession for the treatment of heart diseases; what reply has been given; and whether he will arrange for the importation to continue until a similar product of equal value can be manufactured in this country;

(2) why he is proposing to permit a monopoly by one firm in the manufacture in this country of alpha tocopherol Vita E; and whether he will arrange for other firms to participate in the importation of the special oil from America, so that they can proceed to manufacture the finished product which is in urgent demand for treatment of heart diseases.

85. Mr. Walker-Smith

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements are in force or in contemplation for the importation from the United States of America of the special oil required for the manufacture of alpho tocophenol, vitamin E.

Mr. Bevan

Alpha tocopherol (Vitamin E) is manufactured in this country from imported intermediate materials, but its value in the treatment of heart disease is regarded here as not yet established. Sufficient supplies are available for doctors who are investigating its use. It is open to any manufacturer to apply to the Board of Trade for a licence to import intermediate materials but I have been unable to recommend that the finished product should be imported from Canada.