asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to introduce legislation to transfer the drug industry, where it is a supplier to the National Health Service, from the private to the public sector.

The Government have no plans to nationalise pharmaceutical companies. Profits in the industry are carefully regulated by the improved price regulation scheme which came into effect in April this year, and advertising by the new regulations which come into operation on 1st December. National objectives for the industry, which is a major employer and exporter, are discussed in the pharmaceuticals sector working party with full participation by the companies and the trade unions concerned.