HC Deb 23 October 1952 vol 505 cc1246-7
25. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Health how many claims for payment by dentists and others have been disallowed because the National Registration card identity number of the patient is not available; and what is the total amount involved.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I am not aware of any such case.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

If I send to the Minister the most indignant letters which I have received from dentists will he see that these complaints are dealt with satisfactorily?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, of course; but surely that is a slightly different point? There may well be delay if the number is not taken, but I know of no case in which payment has been disallowed.

Mr. Baird

If a patient attends a dentist and treatment is carried out and the patient has no identity card, what redress has the dentist? He is instructed by the Dental Estimates Board to tell the patient that he must go to the food office to get the number. If the patient does not do that, what does the dentist do then? Why is there any need for this number?

Mr. Macleod

As the hon. Member knows, under the old N.H.I. scheme we always had numbers. One cannot possibly run a scheme without these numbers. The proper source of the information to which the hon. Member refers is the Executive Council and not the food office.

Mr. Legh

Will my right hon. Friend resist any attempt on the part of the Opposition to have identity cards reintroduced?

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