§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has concerning the manufacture in the United Kingdom of skin-lightening cosmetics containing either mercury or hydroquinone; what restrictions exist concerning the sale of these products; whether he has received any representations about the export of such products to Nigeria; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe supply of mercury soap and skin lightening creams, and so on, containing more than 2 per cent. hydroquinone is prohibited in the EC. I have not 307W received any representations about the export of such products to Nigeria, but I have stopped the export of mercury soap from Britain to the Third world. Until recently a small number of British firms were producing and exporting it. I shall also be asking the industry not to export to the Third world skin lightening creams, and so on, containing more than 2 per cent. hydroquinone and to ensure that these products carry the warning labels required by law for sale in the EC.