§ Mr. WARNEasked the Minister of Health whether the Ministry recognises the specifications issued to approved societies by the Public Dental Service Association as suitable to enable a standard denture to be supplied to insured persons; in view of the varying kinds, qualities, and prices of materials to be used in the making of dentures, has the Ministry of Health introduced any scheme for ensuring dental treatment and dentures of a standard price and quality as in the case of medical benefit, e.g., chemicals, materials, and appliances supplied by the doctors, chemists, and druggists; and has the Ministry defined by Statute, under Section 75 (5) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, dental treatment as being in the nature of medical benefit?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe specifications in question which represent the results of negotiations between representatives of the dental profession and of certain approved societies do not require and have not received any recognition from my Department. As regards the second part of the question, I have no power under the existing Acts to make 2031W Regulations on the lines suggested by the hon. Member. As regards the last part, I am advised that, having regard to the terms in which this benefit is denned in the Acts, it is not a benefit in the nature of medical benefit for the purposes of Section 75 (5).