§ Sir K. Josephasked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement about increasing the output from dental schools, as recommended by the McNair Committee on recruitment to the dental profession.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAfter full consultation with the University Grants Committee the Secretary of State and I have accepted the recommendation in the Report of Lord McNair's Committee on Recruitment to the Dental Profession to the effect that the annual output of dental schools in Great Britain needs to be expanded to produce at least 800 dentists who will practise in this country. This means that the capacity of dental schools in Great Britain will have to be expanded from the present potential intake of about 650 students per annum in their first professional year to a number larger than 800 since we must also allow for wastage and students from overseas not intending to practise in this country. The allowances for these two factors must be decided in the light of up-to-date experience; but present trends point to the need to plan for something over 900 places. We aim to start expansion as soon as possible; and, when considering projects for inclusion in the Government's programme for major hospital building schemes, we shall give due regard, in consultation with the University Grants Committee, to proposals which will contribute to it.