30. Captain H E LGERSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will consider advising local authorities to institute a voluntary contributory scheme, on the lines of the hospital contributory schemes, for all dental treatment supplied by the education authorities?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)My Noble Friend is considering proposals on the lines indicated which have been submitted to him on behalf of one local education authority. But he is bound to have regard to the existing statutory position under which local education authorities are required 747 to make arrangements for dental treatment subject to a charge in those cases, and in those cases only, in which treatment is actually provided; and he feels some doubt whether the proposals will be found to be consistent with that position.