§ 3. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Education what steps are taken in the London area to provide 2447 temporary replacements for school dental officers absent from duty on account of leave or indisposition.
§ Mr. TomlinsonI understand that the London County Council and other local education authorities do not as a rule find it practicable to employ substitutes for dental officers who are temporarily absent. In these circumstances, emergency cases in London are usually referred to the nearest available clinic, or, if the absence is prolonged, arrangements may be made for the dental officer of another clinic to attend once or twice a week for emergency work.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIs my right hon. Friend aware that, to quote one example, the Brixton treatment centre, which is normally open for 11 sessions weekly, has had to close completely because the dentist is away ill and that the present 10 weeks' waiting list in nearby centres is bound to increase as a consequence?
§ Mr. TomlinsonYes, I am aware of the difficulties. I think the House knows the difficulties of the school dental service, and that we are doing all we can to expedite a solution of the problem which will enable us to put the service on a better footing.