§ Mr. Owenasked the Minister of Health why the results of the Penman Committee of Inquiry have not been implemented; and why he will not put the claim of the dentists to arbitration.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe Working Party under the Chairmanship of Mr. Penman investigated the facts of chairside times and make no recommendation regarding the level of remuneration. The findings of the Working Party are being taken into account in the framing of the new scale of fees which is being worked out with the British Dental Association in the light of the agreement recently reached for an increase in the remuneration of general dental practitioners from 1st May last. As an agreed settlement of the Association's claim for higher remuneration has been reached the question of arbitration does not arise.