§ Sir J. GRANTasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that patients, in Health Insurance Section Approved Society No. 214, Co-operative Wholesale Society, are unable to obtain dental 1343W treatment by the dentist of their choice, as the society named refuses to pay the scale of fees approved by the Dental Benefit Joint Committee on 27th July, 1926, to operate from 1st October, 1926, to 6th July, 1930; and if he will take any action in the matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware that the approved society referred to has not recognised the scale of charges approved by the Dental Benefit Joint Committee, and a number of complaints have been received to the effect suggested in the question. The society cannot be considered to be infringing any existing statutory provision by limiting in this manner the members' freedom of choice of dentist, but the whole question of the steps to be taken to secure that insured persons entitled to dental benefit shall be able to obtain satisfactory treatment with proper freedom of choice of dentist, will receive consideration in connection with the Regulations to be made on the subject under the National Health Insurance Bill now before the House.