Oral Answers to Questions — Education – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 October 1949.
Sir John Mellor
, Sutton Coldfield
12:00,
20 October 1949
asked the Minister of Education whether he has considered the resolution, unanimously adopted by the Representative Board of the British Dental Association, a copy of which has been sent to him, criticising his Department for failure to provide adequate facilities for treatment of oral sepsis among school children; and what improvements he is making in consequence.
Mr Philip Piratin
, Stepney Mile End
asked the Minister of Education whether, following the formation of a Dental Whitley Council, any decision has been reached concerning the salaries of school dentists.
Mr George Tomlinson
, Farnworth
The School Dental Service has been affected by difficulties over the salaries of dentists employed by local authorities. Negotiations are proceeding with a view to the formation of a Dental Whitley Council, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I are hopeful that agreement will soon be reached on its formation. Once this is done, I hope that, with the prospect in view of a salaries settlement, the School Dental Service will be restored to its former efficiency.
Sir John Mellor
, Sutton Coldfield
Can the right hon. Gentleman give the present proportion of school dentists to school children?
Mr George Tomlinson
, Farnworth
No, Sir, not without notice.
Sir John Mellor
, Sutton Coldfield
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is tending to improve or to deteriorate at the present time?
Mr George Tomlinson
, Farnworth
If the hon. Member will put down a Question, I will let him have the figures.
Mr Philip Piratin
, Stepney Mile End
Is it not the case that the Dental Whitley Council has been formed, has already met, and has not yet arrived at a decision?
Mr Ernest Fernyhough
, Jarrow
Will my right hon. Friend consider tying school dentists to their jobs in the same way as miners and agricultural workers are tied to theirs?
Colonel Sir Alan Gomme-Duncan
, Perth
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Scotland the proportion of dental officers to children is one to 7,800 and can he say whether the figure would be about the same in England?
Mr George Tomlinson
, Farnworth
I should not think so. As the hon and gallant Gentleman knows, my writ does not run in Scotland, and I am hesitant about quoting comparative figures.
Mr Frank Beswick
, Uxbridge
asked the Minister of Education, what is the establishment for school dental officers within the northwest Middlesex educational area; and what is its actual strength.
Mr George Tomlinson
, Farnworth
The Authority's proposed establishment for this area is nine full-time officers. At present there is the equivalent of two and a half such officers.
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