HC Deb 18 June 1918 vol 107 cc155-7
14. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked how many of the ninety-two qualified dental surgeons who received commissions in the Army between 1st March and 10th June were already serving in the Army in other capacities, and how many were newly recruited men who went straight from civilian practice into the Army?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Of the ninety-two dental surgeons appointed to commissions between 1st March and 10th June twenty-six were from the ranks, five were from commissioned ranks, sixty-one were from civilian practice.

Mr. PENNEFATHER

Is it not ex-extremely unfair to the dental surgeons who have served for years in the ranks that they should be left in the ranks and new men should be brought in?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I know that for quite eighteen months preference has been given to men in the ranks.

Mr. PENNEFATHER

Will he see that this practice will not prevail in the future?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I do not think it has been the practice.

15. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked how many qualified dental surgeons are now serving in the Army as privates?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I regret that this information is not yet available, but if my hon. Friend will repeat his question on Monday next, I hope to be in a position to give him an answer.

16. Mr. WHYTE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will promise the House that the number of dentists professionally employed in the Royal Army Medical Corps will be immediately and largely increased?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I can assure my hon. Friend that the number of dental surgeons employed in the Royal Army Medical Corps is about to be largely increased.

Mr. WHYTE

Is my right hon. Friend aware that according to the official figures the number of dentists professionally employed in the British Expeditionary Force in France is less than one-half of the number employed in a similar capacity in the Canadian Expeditionary Force; and is he aware that in view of these figures the shortage of dentists in the British Expeditionary Force is so great that the dental treatment of soldiers abroad is scandalously inadequate?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I have not heard that the treatment of soldiers as far as dentistry is concerned, is scandalously inadequate, but I have made it my duty to see that a full investigation should be made, and it has been made, and I have assured my hon. Friend that the number will be largely increased.

Mr. WHYTE

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the number of dentists in our force is brought up approximately to the number employed by the Canadian force?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Our soldiers, before they go to the front, have their dentures looked at by dentists. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] That is my information. In regard to the Canadian Expeditionary Force the position is quite different, because their teeth have not been examined before they leave Canada.

Mr. PENNEFATHER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Canada every man has his teeth examined before he is allowed to come over here and they are re-examined here before they go to the front. They are also re-examined every time they come home wounded, and this country is the most backward in the world—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.