HC Deb 19 March 1953 vol 513 cc194-5
26. Mrs. Castle

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received and considered the resolution passed by the Blackburn Executive Council, expressing concern at the reduction in demand for dental and ophthalmic treatment and calling for this treatment to be made free of charge again; and what action he proposes to take.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is collecting full information on the demand, so that the effect of the charges can be properly assessed.

Mrs. Castle

Is the hon. Lady not aware that the executive council in Blackburn have expressed the view that the great reduction in demand is due to the part-payment charges, while the need is as great as ever, and that there cannot be an effective Health Service so long as this part-payment remains in operation? Could the hon. Lady's answer mean that her right hon. Friend now realises the profound mistake made by the Government in instituting these charges, and that he intends to remove them?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I cannot accept the hon. Lady's supplementary question on two points. The first is that the charges for spectacles and dentures were introduced by her right hon. Friend and not by us. Second, the demand for spectacles slightly increased in 1952. In the demand for normal conservative treatment, excluding dentures, there has been very little change.

Mrs. Castle

Is the hon. Lady aware that the first part of her answer was not borne out by the facts, and that the Blackburn Executive Council's resolution was in reference to treatment and not to dentures at all? It is the preventive side of the service that should be improved.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

In regard to ophthalmic treatment, about which the hon. Lady complained, the charges did indeed come under the previous Government's policies.

Mr. Gower

In view of the demand for dental treatment, will the Minister keep this matter carefully under review?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The figures for last year in the possession of my right hon. Friend do not bear out the contention made. The demand has not substantially fallen from the figures and estimates previously available.