§ 71. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Education whether he is satisfied that sufficient numbers of dentists will now be available for schools throughout the country.
§ The Minister of Education (Mr. Tomlinson)No, Sir; in January last the school dental service employed the equivalent of 738 full-time dentists by comparison with 921 in 1948, when the service had fully recovered from the effects of the war. Although last year the net loss was very serious, there were nevertheless over 100 new entrants and I hope that the negotiations for a Dental Whitley Council now proceeding will lead to a settlement of salaries and the restoration of the service to its former efficiency.
§ Mr. JannerWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for the reply he has given, may I ask him if he realises the very serious position in connection with the treatment of children in schools? Will he appeal to dentists to see that they practise ethically in this respect?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI have been doing my best in that direction for the last 12 months.