§ 39. Mr. Manuelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state in respect of Ayrshire how many children did not receive any school dental examination in 1958.
§ Mr. GalbraithIn the school year 1957–58, 39,585 school children in Ayrshire did not receive a school dental examination.
§ Mr. ManuelThe hon. Gentleman has just told us amid the din—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerThe futility of asking Questions is increased if there is so much noise that the Answer cannot be heard.
§ Mr. ManuelOwing to the din and interruptions from the other side, Mr. Speaker, may I have the Answer again so that I can put my supplementary question?
§ Mr. GalbraithIn the school year 1957–58, 39,585 school children in Ayrshire did not receive a school dental examination.
§ Mr. ManuelDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is a deplorable situation when over 39,000 children in one county have had no dental service from the school dental service? What positive steps will he take to augment the qualified school dental service?
§ Mr. GalbraithRecruitment to the school dental service is primarily a matter for local education authorities; 1243 but my right hon. Friend, as he indicated to the hon. Gentleman last week, is doing what he can to encourage more dentists to join the service.