§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect on the availability of national health service dental care in Staffordshire of his Department's proposals to cut fees to national health service dental practitioners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyWe have made fair and reasonable proposals on dentists' remuneration which are being considered by the dental rates study group. These proposals would lead to the average dentist receiving in 1992–93 not just the 8.5 per cent. increase in pay recommended by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration—and accepted in full by the Government—but some £5,000 in the full year in addition. We see no reason why such an offer should adversely affect the availability of the national health service dental care in Staffordshire, or elsewhere.