§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average fee, exclusive of patients' charges, per head of population paid out by executive councils in England and Wales in 1969 for dental treatment; and what is the corresponding figure for executive councils in the North-West region, and in the London and South-East region, respectively.
§ Mr. AlisonThe average cost, exclusive of patients' charges, of the dental treatment provided under the general dental services in England and Wales in 1969 was about £1.25 per head of the population. Corresponding figures for the regions are not available, but the average cost, inclusive of patients' charges, per head of population was about £1.30 and £2 respectively in the North-West and the London and South-East economic planning regions. The comparable figure for England and Wales was about £1.55.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, in view of the shortage of dentists in the north-west of England, he will consider making more public money available to encourage dentists to practise in the North-West;
(2) if he will make a statement on the distribution of dental services in the regions of Great Britain.
§ Mr. AlisonI would refer the hon. Member to the last part of my reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 2nd March.—[Vol. 812, c.390–1.]