§ 67. Mr. RAFFANasked the Home Secretary whether the draft Regulations designed to restrict the sale of cocaine, which have been submitted to the Royal College of Physicians, as representing the 2070 medical profession, for their consideration, have also been submitted to the British Dental Association, as representing registered dentists, and the Incorporated Dental Society, as representing unregistered practitioners in dentistry, who are equally interested in the matter?
§ 68 Mr. TOOTILLasked whether he is aware that cocaine has been used as a local anæthetic in destistry to the advantage of the community; and, seeing that the working classes will be largely deprived of this advantage in future if unregistered practitioners in dentistry, whose fees are adapted to the resources of persons of limited means, are no longer allowed to procure the supplies of cocaine which have hitherto been obtainable by them, will he say what action he proposes to take?
§ 69 Mr. ANDERSONasked when it is expected that the proposed new Regulations with reference to the sale of cocaine will be submitted for the approval of the Privy Council; and whether, before this is done, an opportunity will be given to representatives of both registered dentists and unregistered practitioners in dentistry to make representations on a matter which so affects them?
70 Mr. CHANCELLORasked whether he is aware that about 2,000 unregistered practitioners in dentistry are members of the Incorporated Dental Society, and that all of these have served an apprenticeship and are thoroughly practical and experienced men enjoying the esteem of the community in which they carry on their practices; whether any charge of supplying cocaine, other than as an anæsthetic for dental purposes, has ever been brought against any one of their members; and, if not, whether it is now proposed that they should be deprived of its use, which is so essential for carrying on their practices?
§ 71. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked whether he is aware that, owing to the depletion of practitioners in dentistry, both registered and unregistered, caused by enlistment, the dental needs of the community are at present inadequately met; and, seeing that this state of things will be accentuated if the unregistered practitioners are prevented from carrying on their practices as hitherto by being deprived of the cocaine supplies necessary for the administration of local anæsthetics, will he say what action he proposes to take?
§ 73. Mr. WATTasked whether he is aware that the dental needs of the community in many parts of the country, especially in industrial and outlying agricultural districts, are met almost exclusively by the services of unregistered practitioners in dentistry; and seeing that it is proposed by the draft Regulations now under consideration by the Privy Council to injure these men in their practice by withholding from them the opportunity that they have hitherto enjoyed of obtaining the necessary quantities of cocaine solutions for the purpose of administerng local anæsthetics in their dental practices, will he say what action he proposes to take?
Mr. SAMUELThe use of cocaine by registered dentists is not interfered with. As regards the persons who are referred to in the questions as unregistered practitioners in dentistry, I am aware that there are a considerable number of persons who do dental work without being registered under the Dentists Act, but these persons are not possessed of the qualifications for the work which are required by the Act, and are not entitled to take any name implying that they are specially qualified to practice dentistry. I have very carefully considered the position of these persons, but it would go a long way to nullify the Order and defeat the object which the Government have in view if any person who chooses to set up as an unregistered dentist were permitted to obtain and administer cocaine. I see no reason for thinking that any serious hardship will be caused by the prohibition to the unregistered dentist or to their patients: there are other and less dangerous drugs which can be used for the same purpose. One such drug is novocaine, which is already largely in use in dentistry.
§ Mr. RAFFANIn view of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to give notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment.
§ Mr. WATTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware there are 2,000 members of the Incorporated Dental Society, and is he going to issue cocaine to registered dentists?
§ Mr. HOGGEWhy cannot these unregistered men have the same quantity as they have been using before?
§ Mr. ANDERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this drug can be supplied in a solution in less than 1 per cent, under circumstances which makes its improper use absolutely impossible?
Mr. SAMUELWe find it is necessary to have these very stringent regulations in order that the grave evil which is very widely prevalent may be quickly suppressed.
§ Mr. RAFFANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware it has been found impossible to procure cocaine since the outbreak of War owing to the action of the Government, and will they allow no cocaine to be used by these unregistered dentists?
Mr. SAMUELI was not aware of that. I was under the impression it could be obtained. I will make inquiries.
Mr. CHANCELLORIs the right hon. Gentleman aware many of these men have been in practice for from twenty to thirty years, and that they have a very large clientele amongst the working classes and work more cheaply, much more cheaply, than registered dentists, and that this will inflict a great hardship on a very large number of people if they are not allowed to procure this drug in harmless form?
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that these men constitute a very great danger to the public community, and a great injury to the health of the community?
§ Mr. RAFFANWill the right hon. Gentleman give these men an opportunity of stating their whole case before he takes the drastic step of depriving them of the use of this drug?