§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when Dr. Griffin applied for permission to take up the position as head of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries; when his application was considered by the Diamond committee; who gave the views of his Department to the committee regarding Dr. Griffin's proposed appointment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeDr. Griffin applied for permission to take up the position as director of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry on 15 June. The rules governing public appointments did not require a reference to the advisory committee or any Ministerial approval.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will detail the departmental responsibilities of Dr. John Griffin, noting which involve contact with the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical companies and giving an explanation of the nature of Dr. Griffin's responsibility wherever there is such contact.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeDr. Griffin's responsibilities covered the implementation of the Medicines Acts 1968 and 1971; the Biological Standards Act 1975; policy relating to the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines; and international aspects of medicines control. All of these responsibilities could, at various times, involve contact with the pharmaceutical industry and with individual pharmaceutical companies. This contact was in the context of Dr. Griffin's responsibilities for advising Ministers on matters concerning the control of medicinal products under this legislation, and also for assisting the work of the 77W independent statutory bodies set up under the Medical Act to advise Ministers on these matters. Dr. Griffin exercised these responsibilities in conjunction with the head of medicines division and with other colleagues from the various disciplines in the division.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when Dr. Griffin is leaving his Department to join the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries; and if, in the meantime, he has been stopped from working on matters involving the pharmaceutical industry.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeDr. Griffin's last day of work in the Department will be 27 July 1984. In the meantime arrangements have been made for him to deal only with work which does not bring him into contact with the pharmaceutical industry. His other work has been allocated to other medical staff in medicines division, or to senior medical staff in the Department.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services who has been appointed to replace Dr. Griffin as head of the medicines division of his Department; when he will take up his position; and if he will be required to give any assurance that he will not in due course move directly from the Department to work for the pharmaceutical industry.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo decision has yet been taken on Dr. Griffin's replacement. We are in no position to seek assurances of the kind suggested from our officials, nor could we enforce them if they were offered.