§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has recently received from the British Dental Association; and if he will make a statement. [26988]
§ Mr. RichardsThe Welsh Office maintains regular, largely informal, contact with BDA representatives in Wales.
On 6 March this year, I met representatives of the Welsh council of the BDA, together with the Welsh general dental services committee of the BDA, to hear their views on a variety of topics. These included premature retirement for general dental practitioners; the £33 million initiative to increase NHS dental service provision in Wales; fluoridation of public water supplies; and the relationship between the Welsh Office and the profession in Wales.
Officials are happy to continue the present close relationship with the profession's representatives and to accommodate any request for more formal contact when required. I have agreed to meet them again when the need arises.