§ 29. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will negotiate with the European Economic Commission to secure a differentiation between Lactose and Spray Dried Lactose USP in the application of the levy applied under Chapters 1 to 24 of the Customs Tariff, as the latter product is used for pharmaceutical products and will mean an increase in the cost of some drugs to the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartNo. The pharmaceutical industry uses both home-produced and imported supplies of refined lactose. The quantities imported into the United Kingdom from countries outside the Community have been very small. Even assuming that it is necessary for the industry to continue to import part of its requirements from third countries, the additional costs would be minimal.