Mr. T. Morrisasked the Minister of Health whether his latest statistics show any increase in the granting of dental benefit by approved societies; how many such societies do give such benefit; and how many do not?
§ Sir K. Wood:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In Great Britain 5,400 approved societies and branches, with a membership of 13,070,000, have included the benefit in their current additional benefit schemes; 350 societies and branches, with a membership of 1,730,000, have additional benefit schemes which do not include dental benefit, while 1,150 societies and branches, with 1,960,000 members, have no disposable surplus from which additional benefits may be provided.