§ 17. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health what compensation is to be paid to Mrs. Beatrice Cox, 263, Maiden Lane, Crayford, whose jaw was broken by a dentist when having teeth extracted under the National Health scheme; on what grounds the Kent and Canterbury Executive Council withheld £21 from the salary of the dentist concerned, of whose name he has been informed; and on what other occasions deductions have been made from his salary by the Council.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Iain Macleod)Any question of compensation for alleged negligent treatment is a matter between the patient and the dentist. The Executive Council's recommendation in the case of Mrs. Cox and her dentist is at present the subject of an appeal to me and I cannot therefore comment further on the case at this stage.
§ Mr. DoddsIn view of the disgraceful features of this case, will the Minister say whether this dentist has previously been guilty of offences, because that is specifically asked in the Question? Secondly, an appeal having been made to him, will he say what action he has now taken and whether the appeal will go forward?
§ Mr. MacleodI cannot give the details asked for in the very last part of the Question—although, of course, I know them—without departing from the impartiality that I must maintain at this stage of the case. With regard to the other part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, an oral hearing of the appeal has been arranged and will take place.