§ 22. Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, what reports he has received regarding the local authorities clinical services with particular reference to the dental service and the discontentment at the staff remuneration in contrast to the incomes being earned by those engaged on similar work under the National Health Service; and what action he intends to take to ensure that all local authorities' health services are maintained on the highest level with well qualified and contented staffs.
§ Mr. WoodburnI am aware that some authorities are having difficulty in maintaining their dental services at full strength because of a drift of public dental officers to general dental practice. I am encouraging the local authorities, who are the employers of public dental officers, and the dental associations to enter into negotiations about salaries. In the meantime, I should like to pay tribute to those dentists who are continuing to carry on their important work in the public service.