HC Deb 22 May 1941 vol 371 cc1555-6
54. Mr. Brooke

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of a danger that the dental health of the civil population may suffer through the age of reservation for skilled dental mechanics being raised from 23 to 30 in the new Schedule of Reserved Occupations; and what arrangements is he making to prevent this?

The Minister of Health (Mr. Ernest Brown)

I am aware of the change in the age of reservation of dental mechanics and that this will entail some reorganisation of the arrangements in dental practices to meet the new conditions. I do not, however, consider that these changes will endanger the dental health of the population.

Mr. Brooke

Has my right hon. Friend consulted the dental laboratories about this problem through their own organisation, and if not, will he do so?

Mr. Brown

We are in touch with them and I think there is machinery which will enable employers to make applications to retain their mechanical assistants if they will make application to the Ministry of Health.