§ Mr. John Pageasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she expects to announce the result of her consultations with the British Standards Institution on the modified test procedure for child-resistant closures for medicines an announced in her Written Answer on 23rd April (Medicines—Child Safety).
§ Dr. OwenThe British Standards Institution Committee concerned will meet towards the end of this month. I shall make an announcement as soon as I have been able to consider its view.
§ Mr. John Pageasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she can make an estimate of the cost in capital investment for the pharmaceutical industry of implementing the recommendations for child-resistant closures as set out in the Medicines Commission's report "On the presentation of medicines in relation to child safety".
§ Dr. OwenIt is impossible to estimate the capital investment cost of implementing the Medicines Commission's recommendations because of the variations in the circumstances of individual firms. Whilst some firms already have unit-packaging equipment others would have to obtain it, often from abroad, and additional expense would be incurred where new buildings were required to house the necessary machinery.
24Wa further statement on the programme for the introduction of these benefits.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe following table gives the information requested about numbers and costs. I have no further statement to make about timing at present.