§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health whether approved societies without any surplus for women for additional benefits on the third valuation have been able to maintain dental grants of 75 per cent. to women throughout the third valuation period, and how this has been accomplished within the scheme; why only 14 per cent. of the women's surplus in one society has been declared disposable on the fourth valuation; and whether the proportion over 50 per cent. as set forth in Article 19 of Part IV of S.R. & O. 644 must be on a uniform percentage basis?
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§ Sir K. WOODA few approved societies which had no disposable surplus on the third valuation had fairly substantial balances remaining unspent from the sums set aside for the provision of treatment additional benefits as a result of the previous valuation, and out of these balances were able to provide additional benefits during the ensuing valuation period. In reply to the second part of the question, I should explain that the determination of the amount of surplus which can be declared to be disposable is a matter for the professional judgment of the valuer, and that the disposable surplus does not represent any fixed proportion of the gross surplus. In regard to the last part of the question, the proportion of the cost of dental treatment to be paid by a society as additional benefit must be uniform throughout the society.