Early Day Motions

AVAILABILITY OF HERBAL REMEDIES

EDM (Early Day Motion) 14: tabled on 16 November 1994

Tabled in the 1994-95 session.

This motion has been signed by 142 Members. It has received 2 amendments.

As this motion is using historical data, we may not have the record of the original ordering, in which case signatories are listed alphabetically.

Amendments to this motion

There have been 2 amendments submitted to this motion.

View details of the amendments

Motion text

That this House notes the valuable contribution made to the health of millions of British subjects, over many centuries, by the use of herbal remedies; notes that the proposed implementation on 1st January 1995 of a draft Statutory Instrument, Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations, Pharmacovigilance and Related Matters) Regulations 1994, would remove exemptions for herbal remedies from the medicines licensing procedures currently afforded, by sections 12 and 56 of the Medicines Act 1968 and could lead to such herbal products requiring a full product licence at a cost of up to ú84,000; regrets that this would inevitably lead to the disappearance of the majority of herbal remedies which have been used safely and effectively for many years; observes that such changes would also damage those who practise the systems of medicine favoured by many in the Asian, Caribbean and Chinese communities; opposes the injury which such a move would have on responsible manufacturers of such products, health food shops and medical herbalists and on the significant progress being made in improving standards of quality, safety and efficacy for herbal remedies; and, bearing in mind that Germany has taken it upon itself to provide its own exemptions, urges Her Majesty's Government urgently to consult more widely with those organisations involved in herbal medicine and to decline to bring forward the proposed Statutory Instrument.

The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.

Cash, Mr William
Conservative
Signed on 16 November 1994
Stafford
Primary
Abbott, Ms Diane
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Ainger, Nick
Labour
Signed on 30 November 1994
Pembroke
Anderson, Donald
Labour
Signed on 29 November 1994
Swansea East
Anderson, Janet
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Rossendale and Darwen
Atkinson, Mr David
Conservative
Signed on 17 January 1995
Bournemouth East

In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.

Austin-Walker, John
Labour
Signed on 18 November 1994
Woolwich
Banks, Tony
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Newham North West
Barnes, Mr Harry
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
North East Derbyshire
Bayley, Hugh
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
York
Beggs, Mr Roy
Ulster Unionist Party
Signed on 17 November 1994
East Antrim
Beith, Sir Alan
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 14 December 1994
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Benton, Mr Joe
Labour
Signed on 7 December 1994
Bootle
Betts, Mr Clive
Labour
Signed on 23 November 1994
Sheffield, Attercliffe
Boyes, Roland
Labour
Signed on 2 February 1995
Houghton and Washington
Boyson, Sir Rhodes
Conservative
Signed on 23 November 1994
Brent North
Bradley, Mr Keith
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Manchester, Withington
Campbell, Sir Menzies
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 21 November 1994
North East Fife
Campbell-Savours, Mr Dale
Labour
Signed on 16 February 1995
Workington
Cann, Mr Jamie
Labour
Signed on 24 November 1994
Ipswich
Carrington, Mr Matthew
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Fulham
Channon, Paul
Conservative
Signed on 19 December 1994
Southend West
Chidgey, Mr David
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 25 November 1994
Eastleigh
Chisholm, Mr Malcolm
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Edinburgh, Leith
Churchill, Winston
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Davyhulme
Clapham, Mr Michael
Labour
Signed on 29 November 1994
Barnsley West and Penistone
Clarke, Mr Eric
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Midlothian
Cohen, Harry
Labour
Signed on 23 November 1994
Leyton
Colvin, Michael
Conservative
Signed on 12 January 1995
Romsey and Waterside
Connarty, Michael
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Falkirk East
Corbyn, Jeremy
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Islington North
Corston, Jean
Labour
Signed on 16 November 1994
Bristol East
Cox, Tom
Labour
Signed on 21 November 1994
Tooting
Cummings, John
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Easington
Cunliffe, Mr Lawrence
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Leigh
Cunningham, Mr Jim
Labour
Signed on 26 January 1995
Coventry South East
Darling, Mr Alistair
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Edinburgh Central
Davidson, Mr Ian
Labour
Signed on 22 November 1994
Glasgow, Govan
Davies, Bryan
Labour
Signed on 23 November 1994
Oldham Central and Royton
Davies, Denzil
Labour
Signed on 5 December 1994
Llanelli
Davis, Mr Terry
Labour
Signed on 21 November 1994
Birmingham, Hodge Hill
Dowd, Jim
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Lewisham West
Dunn, Mr Bob
Conservative
Signed on 23 November 1994
Dartford
Dunnachie, Jimmy
Labour
Signed on 22 November 1994
Glasgow, Pollok
Evans, John
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
St Helens North
Fabricant, Michael
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Mid Staffordshire
Foster, Mr Don
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 22 November 1994
Bath
Fraser, John
Labour
Signed on 21 November 1994
Norwood
Galloway, Mr George
Labour
Signed on 9 February 1995
Glasgow, Hillhead
Gapes, Mike
Labour
Signed on 6 February 1995
Ilford South
Gerrard, Mr Neil
Labour
Signed on 18 November 1994
Walthamstow
Gill, Mr Christopher
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Ludlow
Godman, Dr Norman
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Greenock and Port Glasgow
Golding, Mrs Llin
Labour
Signed on 16 November 1994
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Graham, Mr Tommy
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Renfrew West and Inverclyde
Grant, Bernie
Labour
Signed on 15 February 1995
Tottenham
Greenway, Harry
Conservative
Signed on 24 November 1994
Ealing North
Griffiths, Mr Win
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Bridgend
Hain, Mr Peter
Labour
Signed on 16 November 1994
Neath
Hall, Mr Mike
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Warrington South
Hanson, Mr David
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Delyn
Hardy, Peter
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Wentworth
Harvey, Nick
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 1 December 1994
North Devon
Henderson, Mr Doug
Labour
Signed on 21 November 1994
Newcastle upon Tyne North
Heppell, Mr John
Labour
Signed on 29 November 1994
Nottingham East
Hicks, Sir Robert
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
South East Cornwall
Higgins, Sir Terence
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Worthing
Home Robertson, Mr John
Labour
Signed on 22 November 1994
East Lothian
Hood, Mr Jim
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Clydesdale
Hoon, Mr Geoff
Labour
Signed on 19 January 1995
Ashfield
Howells, Dr Kim
Labour
Signed on 23 November 1994
Pontypridd
Hughes, Mr Kevin
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Doncaster North
Hughes, Robert
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Harrow West
Hughes, Roy
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Newport East
Hunter, Mr Andrew
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Basingstoke
Illsley, Mr Eric
Labour
Signed on 6 December 1994
Barnsley Central
Janner, Greville
Labour
Signed on 16 November 1994
Leicester West
Jessel, Toby
Conservative
Signed on 13 December 1994
Twickenham
Johnston, Sir Russell
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 17 November 1994
Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber
Jones, Mr Barry
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Alyn and Deeside
Jones, Mr Ieuan Wyn
Plaid Cymru
Signed on 17 November 1994
Ynys Môn
Jones, Lynne
Labour
Signed on 16 November 1994
Birmingham, Selly Oak
Jones, Mr Martyn
Labour
Signed on 13 December 1994
Clwyd South West
Kennedy, Mr Charles
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 17 November 1994
Ross, Cromarty and Skye
Kirkwood, Sir Archy
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 11 January 1995
Roxburgh and Berwickshire
Knox, Sir David
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Staffordshire Moorlands
Lewis, Mr Terry
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Worsley
Livingstone, Mr Ken
Labour
Signed on 23 November 1994
Brent East
Lord, Sir Michael
Conservative
Signed on 22 November 1994
Central Suffolk
Lynne, Liz
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 17 November 1994
Rochdale
Mackinlay, Andrew
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Thurrock
MacShane, Mr Denis
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Rotherham
Madden, Max
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Bradford West
Maddock, Mrs Diana
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 17 November 1994
Christchurch
Marshall, Mr Jim
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Leicester South
McCrea, Rev Dr William
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on 30 November 1994
Mid Ulster
Meale, Mr Alan
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Mansfield
Michie, Mr Bill
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Sheffield, Heeley
Miller, Andrew
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Ellesmere Port and Neston
Mitchell, Sir David
Conservative
Signed on 24 November 1994
North West Hampshire
Moate, Sir Roger
Conservative
Signed on 16 November 1994
Faversham
Nicholson, David
Conservative
Signed on 16 November 1994
Taunton
O'Hara, Mr Edward
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Knowsley South
Olner, Mr Bill
Labour
Signed on 28 November 1994
Nuneaton
Paisley, The Reverend Ian
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on 24 November 1994
North Antrim
Parry, Robert
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Liverpool, Riverside
Pendry, Mr Tom
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Stalybridge and Hyde
Pickthall, Mr Colin
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
West Lancashire
Pike, Mr Peter
Labour
Signed on 18 November 1994
Burnley
Pope, Mr Greg
Labour
Signed on 30 November 1994
Hyndburn
Powell, William
Conservative
Signed on 23 November 1994
Corby
Prentice, Bridget
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Lewisham East
Sedgemore, Mr Brian
Labour
Signed on 18 November 1994
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Sheerman, Mr Barry
Labour
Signed on 29 November 1994
Huddersfield
Short, Clare
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Birmingham, Ladywood
Simpson, Alan
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Nottingham South
Skinner, Mr Dennis
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Bolsover
Smyth, The Rev Martin
Ulster Unionist Party
Signed on 17 November 1994
South Belfast
Soley, Mr Clive
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Hammersmith
Steel, Sir David
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 17 November 1994
Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale
Steinberg, Mr Gerry
Labour
Signed on 23 November 1994
City of Durham
Stephen, Michael
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Shoreham
Sumberg, David
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Bury South
Thompson, Jack
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Wansbeck
Tipping, Paddy
Labour
Signed on 16 November 1994
Sherwood
Townend, Mr John
Conservative
Signed on 17 November 1994
Bridlington
Tredinnick, David
Conservative
Signed on 16 November 1994
Bosworth
Trimble, Mr David
Ulster Unionist Party
Signed on 24 November 1994
Upper Bann
Turner, Mr Dennis
Labour
Signed on 21 November 1994
Wolverhampton South East
Tyler, Mr Paul
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 17 November 1994
North Cornwall
Vaz, Keith
Labour
Signed on 23 November 1994
Leicester East
Wallace, Mr Jim
Liberal Democrat
Signed on 23 November 1994
Orkney and Shetland
Watson, Mike
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Glasgow Central
Welsh, Mr Andrew
Scottish National Party
Signed on 21 November 1994
Angus East
Winterton, Sir Nicholas
Conservative
Signed on 16 November 1994
Macclesfield
Wise, Mrs Audrey
Labour
Signed on 1 December 1994
Preston
Wray, Mr Jimmy
Labour
Signed on 17 November 1994
Glasgow, Provan

After a motion has been tabled, other Members can table amendments to it. Amendments to this motion are shown below.

AVAILABILITY OF HERBAL REMEDIES (Amendment 1)
leave out from `remedies' to end and add `and welcomes the recent announcement by the Department of Health that herbal remedies shall remain exempt under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 despite Directive 65/65/EEC as amended by a 1986 Directive.'.
Mr Alan Duncan
Conservative, Rutland and Melton
3
signatures
EDM 14A1: tabled on 17 November 1994
AVAILABILITY OF HERBAL REMEDIES (Amendment 2)
leave out from `House' to end and add `regrets that despite the assurance by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State that he has found a way of protecting the availability of herbal remedies he has to date provided no basis for his assertion that since they are not "industrially produced" they fall outside the scope of the European Directive, and that he has been unable to provide any guarantee that a future domestic or European Court decision, or a future European Directive would not establish a definition of the term "industrially produced" which covered the procedures adopted in the production of herbal remedies; urges him immediately to supply to the House the necessary documentation and explanation to support his claims; deeply regrets the inefficient and insensitive manner in which he and the Medicines Control Agency have acted in dealing with herbalists and their legitimate concerns; and hopes that in future the Secretary of State for Health will ensure that all responsible practitioners of alternative and complementary medicines are properly consulted about any proposed changes to regulations in this area.'.
Ann Winterton
Conservative, Congleton
16
signatures
EDM 14A2: tabled on 18 November 1994
Withdrawn