§ Mr. Woodburnasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the curtailment and, in some cases, extinction of dental services in connection with National Health Insurance benefits; and what steps he is taking to see that there is no deterioration in the standards of dental services for the people?
§ Mr. ColvilleThe total amount allocated to the provision of dental benefit by approved societies and branches in Scotland for the current year is only slightly less than the amount allocated in respect of recent years. Owing to their fifth valuations having revealed smaller disposable surpluses, approved societies and branches in Scotland with a total membership equal to about 12 per cent. of the insured persons entitled to dental benefit have reduced the scale of their grants under that benefit, and societies and branches covering a further 6 per cent. have ceased to provide the benefit. Under the National Health Insurance Act dental benefit is available only to the extent to which it is provided by approved societies by way of additional benefit out of disposable surplus revealed at a valuation. I have no power to secure the provision of the benefit otherwise than in terms of the Act.