§ Mr. LLEWELLYN-JONESasked the Minister of Health how many approved societies contribute towards the cost of dental treatment for their members and the number of insured members in these approved societies, and how many societies are not in a position to give dental benefit and the number of members in these societies; and whether he is in a position to give any indication as to whether the third valuation is likely to result in a curtailing of provision of dental benefit?
§ Mr. GREENWOODAbout 6.000 approved societies and branches in England and Wales, whose total membership at the date of the second valuation was approximately 12,700,000, contribute towards the cost of dental treatment for their members, and about 500 societies and branches, whose total membership at the same date was about 1,000,000, do not provide dental benefit. The third valuation of societies has not yet been completed, but the results thus far known do not show any reduction in the amount allocated for the provision of dental benefit.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health why it is proposed to vary the regulations under the National Health Insurance scheme covering the provision of additional dental benefit for voluntary contributors; whether the representatives of approved societies have agreed to such a variation; and will he state the reasons for suggesting any alteration in the present practice in this connection?
§ Mr. GREENWOODUnder the Regulations governing the provision of dental benefit no distinction is made between employed and voluntary contributors. Before varying the Regulations in this respect, I should require to be satisfied that there were sufficient reasons to justify the variation, and such reasons have not yet been put before me.