§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in quoting figures for dentists' current net incomes, they take their figures on dentists' expenses from the forecasts of the dental rates study group, or from the actual level of dentists' expenses, and if from the actual level, for which year.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)The health departments' estimates of dentists' current net income are based on forecasts of dentists' expenses and of their volume of work. Those forecasts are based on data from past years: for 1992–93, the most recent data on actual expenses relate to 1989–90; and the most recent data on volume of work relate to 1991–92. Expenses data are obtained three years in arrears, through an annual inquiry which the Inland Revenue conducts on the departments' behalf. Volume of work data are provided quarterly by the dental practice boards.