§ 39. Mr. D. GRENFELL (for Mr. ROBINSON)asked the Minister of Health what approved societies make pro vision for dental treatment; and if he will take steps to ensure that dental treatment and the provision of dentures shall be included in the treatment provided under the National Health Insurance Acts?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSome 3,500 approved societies and branches in Eng land, having a total membership of over 10,500,000 insured persons, have adopted schemes of additional benefits that include payments towards the cost of dental treatment. These numbers are likely to be materially increased from next July, when schemes following the second valuation will become operative for societies and branches valued as at the end of 1923. The Royal Commission on National Health Insurance, who considered the subject exhaustively, came to the conclusion that, while a complete dental service for the whole insured population would be eminently desirable, it is not at present financially practicable, and they recommended that the general arrangements for dental services under additional benefit schemes should be continued. Societies and branches having a sufficient disposable surplus on valuation are reminded of the possibility of their adopting dental benefit as an additional benefit, and I propose that this shall remain the practice.
§ Mr. HARRISWould it have been financially possible to give dental treatment if the Fund had not been raided by the reduction of the percentage grant from the Government?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. If the hon. Member will read the Report of the Royal Commission, he will see that it was not possible.