Dentist, Birmingham (Hansard, 8 May 1961)

§ 36. Mr. Denis Howell
asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the circumstances under which the Birmingham Executive Council has recommended that a dentist should have £1,000 of his fees withheld, and its comments about the circumstances which caused it so to recommend; and whether he will cause the name of the dentist concerned to be published.

§ 41. Mr. Lipton
asked the Minister of Health whether he has confirmed the recommendation sent to him by Birmingham Health Executive Council to stop £1,000 from the pay of a local dentist.

§ Mr. Powell
No, Sir; I am required by the Regulations to consider also the dentist's representations, which have still to be heard, and the advice of my Dental Advisory Committee.

§ Mr. Howell
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on Saturday, we are told, this dentist was fined a further £200 in respect of another offence? How much longer are this man's patients to be left in complete ignorance of the sort of dentist who is attending them? Can this possibly be right? Can the Minister tell us of any other profession in the country in which a person who was found guilty of obtaining money for work that he had not done would not find himself in the criminal courts? Ought not the public to be protected?

§ Mr. Powell
I can take account only of facts which are brought to my attention in the appropriate way, and I can do so only in accordance with the regulations by which I am governed. However, it will be appreciated that these are withholdings for breach of contract with the executive council and not fines for offences.

§ Mr. Fletcher
What is the point of this anonymity? Surely there is nothing in the regulations which prevents the Minister making the name of the individual public?

§ Mr. Powell
It is not usual in cases where part of the payment under a contract is withheld for incomplete carrying out of a contract for the names of the parties to be disclosed.

§ Mr. Howell
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I give notice that when the right hon. Gentleman has finished his deliberations I shall hope to raise the matter on the Adjournment?

§ Mr. Speaker
No; that is irregular.