§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake to ensure that persons in receipt of pensions or supplementary benefit are not impeded from obtaining dental treatment by their inability to pay rates which are above those specified under the National Health Service regulations.
§ Mr. DeanIt is assumed that hon. Member's Question relates to dental services provided privately outside the National Health Service. So far as such services are concerned the Supplementary Benefits Commission is statutorily precluded from helping with the cost of dentures; as to private dental treatment it does not meet charges to the patient in excess of those payable for comparable work under the National Health Service.