§ Mr. Awdryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will introduce legislation to compel manufacturers to provide an antidote before they place any particular poison on the market.
§ Dr. SummerskillI have been asked to reply.
As comparatively few poisons have specific antidotes, such legislation would be impracticable. The medical treatment of persons who have ingested harmful substances usually involves clinical methods other than the use of antidotes. General practitioners and hospital staff can readily obtain from the national poisons information centres any necessary information about products commonly on sale.