§ 3. Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her policy on dentists outside the health service using health centre facilities for the treatment of private patients.
§ Dr. OwenAs the hon. Member will recall from my reply to his Question on 16th June—[Vol. 893, c. 374]—a small element of private practice in health centres is allowed only to general dental 308 practitioners engaged almost exclusively in providing NHS general dental services in those health centres.
§ Mr. FreudI am grateful for that answer, but does not the hon. Gentleman appreciate that there is a community in my constituency without a dentist but with a fully equipped surgery? Is he aware that a private dentist is prepared to undertake dental practice? May I ask the Minister to budge from his ludicrous stand for the sake of my constituents and to allow a man who is willing to do work which must be done to get on and do it?
§ Dr. OwenHealth centres are provided by public funds. If there was a complete ban on private practice the hon. Gentleman's use of the word "ludicrous" would not be unreasonable, but we do not have that situation. We say that the majority of the needs of the NHS should be met first and that private practice should be a smaller element. There is no change of policy in this matter. We are following what has been done in previous years.