HC Deb 21 March 1935 vol 299 c1380
52. Sir A. WILSON

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the statement of the Director-General of Army Medical Services in his annual report on the health of the Army for 1932, that dental care of the women and children of serving soldiers is inferior to that available in civil life, owing to financial stringency precluding the appointment of more dental officers; and what steps are in contemplation in this connection?

Mr. HACKING

The Army Council are aware of the situation, and it is their intention to provide for regular inspection and treatment of all children attending Army schools when financial considerations permit of the necessary increase in expenditure on dental officers, materials, etc. The wives and children of soldiers are, of course, already eligible for such dental treatment as the officers of the Dental Corps can give them at their surgeries, and I think that the report which my hon. and gallant Friend is quoting was a little too modest in suggesting that the wife in civil life has better opportunities of free treatment.