§ Mr. Barnettasked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the case, details of which have been sent to him by the honourable Member for Heywood and Royton, of a merchant seaman who was refused emergency treatment under the National Health Service, although offered treatment privately; and whether he will have discussions with the dental profession with a view to persuading them to accept collective responsibility for the whole of the population and, in particular, to provide emergency treatment in all cases.
§ Mr. LoughlinYes; failure to obtain emergency dental treatment under the National Health Service is very rare and my right hon. Friend is not convinced that the change proposed by the hon. Member is practicable.