§ 9. Mr. ROBERT JONESasked the Minister of Pensions whether the deputy commissioner of medical services (tuberculosis), Wales region, is attached to the South-Western region; whether he has any knowledge of the Welsh language; and, if not, whether he will consider the appointing of an officer able to speak the language of the country in which he has to carry out his duties?
§ Major TRYONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no definite knowledge of this officer's acquaintance with the Welsh language, but as he has been performing his duties satisfactorily, I assume that he has had no difficulty in understanding and making himself understood by pensioners in the Principality.
§ 11. Mr. JONESalso asked the Minister of Pensions whether the deputy commissioner of medical services (dental) as part of his duties has to satisfy himself by personal examination as to the quality of the work done by each dentist; how many dentists are there on the dental panel for Wales; how many dentures did the deputy commissioner of medical services (dental) examine in the 12 months ending 31st March, 1923; and in how many cases was the work unsatisfactory?
§ Major TRYONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Recent figures are not available, but during the year ended November, 1922, this officer examined personally 494 individual cases where dental treatment was provided, a considerable proportion of which had to be referred back for further treatment or for adjustment. There are about 60 dentists on the panel in Wales.