§ 24. Mr. Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take action to further the education of parents, and particularly of expectant mothers, in dental hygiene and the maintenance of dental health.
§ Mr. J. StuartEducation in dental hygiene and the promotion of dental health is provided to mothers and expectant mothers as a permanent part of the maternity and child welfare services of the local health authorities. I sent to the authorities in October, 1952, a report of the Standing Dental Advisory Committee which emphasised the importance of this work, and I am shortly making available to them supplies of a special leaflet dealing with the care of children's teeth, for distribution to mothers of young children.
§ Mr. Thornton-KemsleySince a special drive in this respect is being made in England, could not my right hon. Friend do something to emphasise the steps that are already taken and to stress the importance of this subject?
§ Mr. StuartI do not wish to criticise England, but I would point out that we started on this in October, 1952, and that had it not been for the railway strike—[An HON. MEMBER: "Why blame the railway strike?"I—because people find difficulty in travelling—we would have had an important Press conference in Edinburgh on the subject. We shall have it as soon as possible.