§ 34. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation to relax the provisions which now make it an offence for a foreign dentist, resident in this country, to extract a tooth with the sole object of relieving a person in pain.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe Dentists Bill, which will be reintroduced when Parliamentary time permits, includes provision to facilitate the registration of foreign-trained dentists.
§ Mr. GowerIs the Minister aware that many people were disquieted recently when a foreign dentist, a Pole, a resident in this country, performed a charitable action of this kind in the Wolverhampton area, for which he was subsequently summoned and fined?
§ Mr. MacleodI am aware of that case. The Minister of Health has no authority over the Dental Board and for obvious reasons it is quite impracticable to authorise foreign dentists to perform extractions alone.
§ Mr. BeswickWhen will the Bill be introduced?
§ Mr. MacleodWhen Parliamentary time permits.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Minister aware that there are 30 or 40 foreign dentists in 2240 this country who have been kicking their heels for the last 12 years, awaiting this Bill, and, since we need these skilled men, will he do something to put the matter right?