Business of the House

Debate between Ruth Jones and Jacob Rees-Mogg

Thursday 3rd October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Ruth Jones (Newport West) (Lab)]

A member of my team went to a chemist in my area this morning and saw a poster outside that said,

“Please don’t blame us for the NHS medicine shortages. It’s a nationwide problem. Please ask our local MP to help”.

There is clearly uncertainty and fear in the community. Will the Leader of the House, as a champion of a no-deal Brexit, make it clear that there will be no medicine shortages if we crash out of the EU? If he cannot confirm that, will he hold a debate on this issue at the earliest opportunity?

[Mr Rees-Mogg]

Once again, I am fortunate that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is sitting at my side. He reminds me that we have had endless debates on this matter. He very wisely put controls on 24 drugs that, in the ordinary course of events, were in short supply—19 of them were for hormone replacement therapy—because the supply of drugs is always a complex issue. Fortunately, the Government have procedures in place in all circumstances to ensure drugs are available, so I can give the hon. Lady the reassurance she requires.