HC Deb 22 February 1977 vol 926 cc526-7W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many experimental dental emergency centres have been set up to assess the need for treatment at weekends and on bank holidays: when his Department announced the decision to establish such centres; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moyle

My Department accepted the Working Party on Dental Services' recommendation to set up dental emergency trials and started discussions with the profession as soon as a viable scheme had been worked out. These arrangements were alluded to in the reply of my right hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Dr. Owen), to the hon. Member for Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Madel) on 28th January 1975.—[Vol. 885 c.73–4.] None of the four schemes proposed in England has been set up because my Department has hitherto been unable, under current pay policy, to reach agreement with representatives of the profession on the level of fee to be paid to the participating dentists. The matter is still subject to further discussions.