§ Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will give an assurance that the fullest possible opportunity will be given for detailed discussions between his Department and representatives both of the medical and allied professions and of the pharmaceutical industry, before any of the recommendations contained in the Sainsbury Report are finally included in the Government's proposed legislation;
(2) which of the organisations concerned he has consulted with regard to the inclusion in the Government's proposed legislation of recommendations made in the White Paper, Command Paper No. 3395, and in the Report of the Committee of Inquiry, Command Paper No. 3410: when he asked for their respective comments; and by what date lie indicated their representations should be put forward.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe views of the British Medical Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and the Proprietary Association of Great Britain were sought on 20th October, the matter was briefly discussed with the Joint Consultants Committee on 24th October and the views of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Surgeons and Obstetricians and Gynaecologists were sought on 30th October. This consultation was directed to those recommendations in Cmnd. 3410 bearing on the proposals in Cmnd. 3395, which were framed in the light of extensive earlier consultation with these and other bodies. I indicated that my objective was to complete consultation by the end of November, but have told organisations which asked for more time that some degree of latitude can be allowed. There will be opportunity for full examination of all relevant matters before the legislation reaches its final form.