§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many dental technicians there were in each of the years from 1970 to the latest date for which figures are available in the United Kingdom and in the county of Cheshire, working in hospitals, community service, the National Health Service and private practice.
§ Mr. MoyleI would refer the hon. Gentleman to my hon Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. MacGregor) on 10th February 1978.—[Vol. 943, c.707.] The Great Britain—England, Scotland and Wales—figures for the period 1970–72 were as follows: 1970, 494; 1971, 517; 1972, 543. These figures are the whole-time equivalent for the National Health Service. I regret that the figures for dental technicians employed in Cheshire and outside the hospital and community dental service are not available centrally.