§ 24. Miss Baconasked the Minister of Health if he will allow dental plates to be provided free of charge where such plates are required as the result of an industrial injury
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithNo, Sir. These charges apply to all patients under the Act of 1951. There is separate provision for compensation for industrial injuries
§ Miss BaconIs the hon. Lady aware that in a case of which I have sent the right hon. Gentleman particulars the man received his injuries as the result of an industrial accident, and that if he had lost a limb he would have received a new limb free of charge, but that because the accident was to the roof of his mouth he has to pay for his dentures in the same way as other dental patients have to pay for their treatment which is not necessitated by industrial accident?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithMy Department is not responsible for the operation of the Industrial Injuries Scheme. The 1951 Act was passed by the Government formed by the party of which the hon. Lady is a Member. We see no reason to vary its provisions
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWould not the best advice the hon. Lady can give to the constituent of my hon. Friend be that he should put in a legitimate claim under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act? Will the hon. Lady, therefore, advise the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance that a client turned down by her Department now becomes one of his?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithAs I have said, industrial injuries are not a matter for my Department
§ Dr. SummerskillIs not the hon. Lady aware that the answer she has given is a little inhumane? There is here a little anomaly. There were many anomalies which arose when my right hon. Friend the Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) and I were in the Ministry, and we strove to remedy them. Here is an anomaly which can occur on only very rare occasions—through injury to the roof of the mouth. I would ask the hon. Lady if she would co-operate with the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to see whether something can be done.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI will certainly see that representations are made to my right hon. Friend
§ 25. Miss Baconasked the Minister of Health if he will provide two sets of dental plates where these are required as the result of an industrial injury and where the applicant cannot speak without a plate and so, in the event of a breakage, cannot follow his employment
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithNo, Sir. As the replacement or repair of the dentures in the circumstances would be a matter of emergency it could be done by the dentist without waiting for any prior approval of the Dental Estimates Board
§ Miss BaconIs the hon. Lady aware that without dental plates my constituent cannot follow his employment because he cannot speak? If he cannot have free dental plates, can he at any rate have two at a reduced charge so that he may follow his employment?
§ Mr. J. GriffithsI ask the Minister himself, who has the advantage of having served in the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance before serving in his present office, to enter into conversations with the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to ensure that persons who have contributed towards benefit under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act are able to obtain these essential benefits which are provided under the Act for those who suffer industrial injuries. Will he discuss this matter with his colleague?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe right hon. Gentleman raises a very wide question, because it is equally true that a telephonist who breaks her dental plate may be at just as great a disadvantage, and she does not come under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act
§ Mr. GriffithsI would ask the hon. Lady whether she realises that I am putting a very serious question, about persons who have subscribed to industrial injuries insurance and are entitled to these benefits. I am asking a question as one who was privileged to pilot the Act through the House
§ Mr. BairdIs it not a fact that had this patient had these appliances fitted under the hospital dental scheme he would have had the appliances free? Is 813 this, therefore, not an anomaly? Would she look into it with a view to removing it?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithWe will certainly look into the points the hon. Member raises, but they are matters for the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance.