§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he proposes under the Misuse of Drugs (Licence Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 1985 349W (S.I., 1985, No. 138) to raise licence fees to doctors prescribing controlled drugs by 14 per cent.; what was the total income from fees collected under regulation 3(1) of the Misuse of Drugs (Licence Fees) Regulations 1979 in 1983–84; and to what purpose the money so collected is put.
§ Mr. MellorThe current regulations would have the effect of increasing the fees for licences to produce, supply and possess controlled drugs for commercial purposes; they do not apply to doctors, who do not require a licence to prescribe controlled drugs (except when prescribing heroin, cocaine or dipipanone to an addict). In the financial year 1983–84 the total revenue from such fees amounted to approximately £203,000. In line with the Government's policy on fees, this revenue offsets the costs associated with operating the licensing system.