Medicines for Human Use (National Rules for Homeopathic Products) Regulations 2006

My Lords, it would be inappropriate to reply to the various issues raised in this debate, but I must make a few very brief points. The intention of this Prayer is not to ban the sale or diffusion of homeopathic products but to stop regulation that allows claims of efficacy which do not have scientific proof and which encourage people to believe that homeopathy works in a way that cannot be proved. That could have, and has had, serious effects in some cases. I am extremely disappointed by the Minister's reply because he has not denied—indeed, he could not deny—that these regulations turn their back on the entire history of the regulation of medical products in which such products have been scientifically proved. Nor did he answer the question about the interests of the homeopathic industry—indeed, he denied that the regulations had anything to do with that. Perhaps I may read the appropriate sentence from the Explanatory Memorandum attached to these regulations: "““Although the development of national rules … under the … Directive is optional, failing to introduce the scheme would inhibit the expansion of the homeopathic industry””." If that does not mean that the purpose of the regulations is to assist the homeopathic industry, I do not know what it means. I should also like the Minister to look again at the whole role of the MHRA, which has now abandoned its purpose of guaranteeing the safety and, in particular, the efficacy of its products. I am afraid that the noble Lord’s reply will not reassure the numerous—in fact, almost comprehensive—list of medical bodies that have expressed extreme concern at the MHRA’s change of tack. His reply was feeble, and I am sorry to say that the reply from my own Front Bench was equally feeble. If they are to be taken seriously, perhaps sometimes they should apply a little intellectual rigour. I understand that it is not customary to have a vote on a Prayer of this kind. We shall continue, as I am sure will many others, to press for these regulations to be withdrawn. I hope that the Government will give further thought to them, but I beg leave to withdraw the Motion. Motion, by leave, withdrawn.