§ 6. Mr. Leonardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, following recent discussions with the General Dental Services Committee, he will now take steps to initiate a 24-hour, 365 days 1007 a year, emergency dental practitioner service.
§ Sir K. JosephI recently met representatives of the British Dental Association and agreed with them to set up a joint working party to consider how best within available resources to secure the long-term development and improvement of the dental services available under the National Health Service. The emergency services will be amongst the matters considered by the working party.
§ Mr. LeonardAll hon. Members will be very glad to hear that statement. I am sure that the dental profession is very anxious indeed that there should be the fastest possible move towards the provision of this service, which will do a great deal to save much hardship and suffering throughout the country.