HC Deb 30 July 1953 vol 518 cc1519-20
20. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Education what proportion of school children have been examined by school dentists in Leicester during 1952.

Miss Horsbrugh

Approximately 33 per cent.

Mr. Janner

Is the right hon. Lady aware that owing to the difficulty in getting the necessary staff to attend to the teeth of school children, nearly 2,000 permanent teeth were extracted from children in Leicester schools in 1952? What action will the Minister take to ensure that the children's teeth are properly attended to and the necessary staff provided? The position is very serious.

Miss Horsbrugh

I hope that there will be an increase in the staff in Leicester, as there has been in the rest of the country. The dental staff in the schools is increasing, and I hope that that increase will very shortly be experienced in Leicester.