DENTISTS (AMENDMENT) BILL (Hansard, 15 June 1973)

§ LORD AUCKLAND
My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. This Bill passed through all its stages in another place in almost 985 a matter of seconds. It was moved by my honourable friend the Member for Paddington South, Mr. Nicholas Scott. I think it is generally accepted that in this country not only do we have a very high standard of dentistry but we want consistently to improve it, and this very small Bill corrects one provision in the Dentists Act 1957. Among its statutory duties, the General Dental Council is required to satisfy itself that the course of studies leading to a degree or a licence in dentistry is conferred by a dental authority. The Bill seeks to strengthen the hand of the General Dental Council in cases where standards do not come up to the necessary requirements. I hope that with those brief words of explanation this Bill will get on the Statute Book as soon as possible. My Lords, I beg to move.

§ BARONESS SEROTA
My Lords, I, too, rise only briefly, solely to support and congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Auckland, on introducing this short two-clause Bill which he has done so lucidly. Its contents are completely noncontroversial and I hope that it has a swift and easy passage through this House—just as swift, in fact, as it did in another place.

§ LORD ABERDARE
My Lords, I should like to thank my noble friend Lord Auckland for introducing this Bill and explaining its purpose. It is a very useful small Bill, and by having it on the Statute Book we shall avoid a major difficulty. The Government are very happy to see it go through all its stages.

§ LORD AUCKLAND
My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Baroness, Lady Scrota, for her welcome to the Bill. Any welcome from her, with her great experience in these matters, carries much weight. I should also like to thank my noble friend for what he has said and, as I said earlier, I hope that the Bill will get on the Statute Book as soon as possible.