§ Mr. BOWENasked the Minister of Health the number of applications for dental treatment that have been referred to the regional dental officers by the following approved societies during the last 12 months to the most convenient date, namely, the Hearts of Oak Friendly Society, the Ancient Order of Foresters Approved Society, the Order of Druids Approved Society, the Prudential Approved Society, and the National Amalgamated Approved Society; and what proportion of the total applications for treatment such numbers of cases referred to represent?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe material in my possession does not enable me to supply the information desired by my hon. Friend, and in order to do so it would be necessary to communicate with every branch of the societies named in the question which administers dental benefit. The number of such branches is nearly 2,000.
§ Mr. BOWENasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that provisions of the National Health Insurance (Dental Benefit) Regulations, 1930, make provision that, as from 7th July next, a condition for the receipt of dental benefit is that a member of an approved society must, if required by his society, submit himself for examination both before and after treatment, and in consideration of the loss of wages likely to be incurred by members of approved societies in connection with such attendances, he will consider amending such 644W proposed regulations so as to provide for payment of actual loss of wages incurred by applicants who attend for such examinations?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThere is no necessity for an insured person to suffer any loss of wages by reason of attendance for examination by a regional dental officer, as arrangements can always be made, if necessary, for his examination outside his working hours. In these circumstances, I do not think that any amendment of the Regulation referred to by my hon. Friend is required.