§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will award a contract to the Medical Research Council to finance a project to investigate the possible harmful effects of the use of hexachlorophane in medicinal preparations:
79W(2) what further investigations have been initiated by his Department into the possible harmful effects of medicinal preparations containing hexachlorophane and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephShort-term studies are now being undertaken by manufacturers under arrangements made after consultation between my Department and the Toiletry Preparations Federation into the absorption of hexachlorophane into the blood. When these studies have been completed my Department will consider whether any further investigations will be necessary.
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take concerning existing stocks in retail outlets of preparations containing hexachlorophane; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephI cannot add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Dr. Vaughan) on 18th February.—[Vol. 831, c. 183–4.]
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a comprehensive list of preparations on the market used for child and baby care which contain hexachlorophane.
§ Sir K. JosephNo comprehensive list is available.
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the companies who manufacture hexachlorophane in Great Britain.
§ Sir K. JosephAs far as I am aware there are only two manufacturers of hexachlorophane in Great Britain. These are Givaudan and Company Limited and Robinson Brothers Limited. Both companies are being most co-operative in supplying whatever information they have been asked for in connection with the recent report of the Committee on Safety of Medicines.