§ 68. Mr. Remnantasked the Minister of Health what drug he will recommend to be used instead of heroin for those patients who cannot take morphia.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIt is not for me to recommend the use of any particular drug. The drug or drugs to be used must be decided by the patient's doctor.
§ 70. Mrs. L. Jegerasked the Minister of Health what treatment under the National Health Service is to be available after 31st December for heroin addicts who are receiving diminishing doses of the drug as part of their present treatment by practitioners.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodIf any particular drug is not available it must obviously be for each patient's doctor to decide what alternative method of treatment is best suited to any individual.
§ Dr. Broughtonasked the Minister of Health how many members have been appointed to the Medical Advisory Committee; on what date the last meeting of the Committee was held to consider the 127W proposed ban on the manufacture of heroin; and how many members were then present.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe answers are 27; 14th December, 1954; and 20.
§ Dr. Bennettasked the Minister of Health what quantity of heroin he estimates to have been prescribed, supplied or used under the National Health Service in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI regret that this information is not available.
§ Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health how many times the Standing Advisory Committee to the Minister of Health has met during the course of 1954 and 1955; what fees are paid to its members for attendance; and how many of its 27 members were present at the meeting at which it was finally advised that heroin should be banned.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe Standing Medical Advisory Committee met three times in 1954 and has met twice so far this year. No fees are paid to its members, of whom 20 were present at the meeting referred to in the last part of the Question.