§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the future of the University college and Middlesex school of dentistry and its associated dental hospital, and the consequences of closure for staff.
Mr. JacksonThe Government have accepted the University Grants Committee's recommendations for the rationalisation of dental education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and their implications for health service provision. In line with the agreed need to reduce the current over-provision of dental graduates, there will be a net intake reduction of 55 places in October 1989, principally through the withdrawal of funding from the University college and Middlesex school of dentistry. The consequences for the staff of that school will be for the college to decide, in consultation with London university and the University Grants Committee. Arrangements will be made for students on courses, including those currently registering, to complete their studies.
As regards Scotland, the health service implications of the University Grants Committee's recommendations are more complex. Consequently, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has established a small working party whose remit is to recommend changes in the current provision of dental education in Scotland which best safeguard services to NHS patients. The intention is to secure necessary changes in provision from October 1990.