§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made towards securing the services of full-time dentists for the Outer Isles; and if he will make a statement including information about the amount of salary available and special inducements offered.
§ Mr. Nixon BrowneThe Executive Council has not so far been able to fill the appointments for full-time dentists for the Outer Isles. My right hon. Friend has authorised the Council to guarantee a minimum professional income of £1,600 per annum and the local authority are prepared to provide housing and some surgery facilities.
189WIn the meantime, with my right hon. Friend's authority, the Council have made special arrangements with three dentists to visit periodically at Barra, Lochboisdale and Lochmaddy to provide treatment facilities for the general population, and visits have already been paid. In addition, the local authority is advertising for a full-time school dental officer, who would be stationed at Lochboisdale, to undertake treatment of the school children throughout the district.