HC Deb 03 February 1964 vol 688 cc119-20W
Mr. Prior

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to ban the use of fluoroacetates for any purpose, and to recover supplies already distributed.

Mr. Brooke

I have decided, on the recommendation of the Poisons Board, to bring fluoroacetamide and fluoroacetanilide under Rule 16(2) of the Poisons Rules, and I shall within the next day or two lay before the House amending Rules which will come into effect on 7th February. The effect will be that any derivatives of fluoroacetic acid at present in use can lawfully be sold or supplied by retail only to a person producing a certificate by a medical officer of health or an official of one of the agricultural Departments. Such certificates can be given only for the use of a substance as a rodenticide in ships, aircraft, hangars or sewers in such places, or in such industrial premises or warehouses, as are identified in the certificate. I understand that the principal manufacturer has taken steps to recover supplies in the hands of the wholesalers.