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Mr. Baird: Is it not the fact that no dentist, whose qualifications have been obtained by his going through the curri- culum required for the standard of this country, has been refused registration?

Mr. Bevan: Certainly, so far as I understand it, the General Medical Coun- cil has carried out its duties scrupulously, as Parliament intended it should. If there are some dentists, or people who claim the qualifications, who suffer hard- ship, I would point out that the purpose of the statute is generally to protect people against being operated upon by incompetent dentists.

Mr. Beswick: Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of these practitioners were allowed to register, but that after a certain date an apparently quite arbitrary line was drawn after which no further applications were allowed from people who, though they had the same qualifica- tions, were of a particular race? Would he look into that aspect of the matter?

Mr. Bevan: I should be astonished to find that there has been any racial dis- crimination whatsoever. I certainly will make inquiries at once into that allega- tion.

35. Dr. Segal asked the Minister of Health how many dentists with foreign qualifications have been refused registra tion in this country; and whether he will consider the possibility of their recruit- ment for the School Dental Service,

Mr. Bevan: Approximately 1,200 since 1935, inclusive, when foreign dentists began to enter this country from the Continent in appreciable numbers. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Education has no objection to the em- ployment in the School Dental Service of any foreign dentists, provided that they are legally entitled to practise dentistry in this country.

Dr. Segal: Where any doubt may exist about the qualifications, could special facilities be granted for re- training, in order that they may equip themselves for entry into the School Medical Service?

Mr. Bevan: Dental schools in this country are already fully occupied in training our own people.

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61. Mr. Baird asked the Minister f Health when he expects to be able to make an announcement about the retro- spective payments promised to dentists doing National Health Insurance dentistry before 5th July.

Mr. Bevan: I am at the moment discussing this matter with representa- tives of the dental organisations.

62. Mr. Baird asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to stop dentists from charging patients a fee when they attend as State patients.

Mr. Bevan: It is a punishable offence, by regulation. Any patient so treated should inform his executive council.

Mr. Baird: If the Minister is given in- formation of such cases will he take action against these dentists?

Mr. Bevan: If hon. Members have in- formation of any such cases I shall be delighted to receive it.

Institution, Bulcamp

31. Mr. Edward Evans asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the public and of local authorities at the position at the Red House Institution, Bulcamp, Suffolk, where projected improvements are de- layed and the provision for sick persons is prejudiced by the lack of amenities available; and whether he will cause the Eastern Regional Hospital Board to examine the possibility of securing alter- native accommodation and while this is being done to proceed with putting the Institution into a fit condition.

Mr. Bevan: I am aware that this is a most unsatisfactory building. The Board are already looking for alternatives, and I am asking them to consider urgently whether any immediate improvements can be made meanwhile.

Mr. Granville: In view of the repeated representations which I have made to the right hon. Gentleman on this Dickens institution, about which he has already made inquiries, will he use his power as Minister to take effective action to provide alternative accommodation to enable the staff, upon whom no blame whatever falls, either the voluntary or professional staff, to carry out their duties satisfactorily?

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9 DECEMBER 1948 Mr. Bevan Alternative accommoda- community in Britain, and that numbers tion is not always easy to find. They of miners and other workers at the end are doing their best, and I will certainly of each day return to such limited give them all the help I can.

accommodation for themselves as to leave no sleeping quarters for their wives and families?

Tuberculosis Patients

63. Mrs. Castle asked the Minister of Health how many T.B. patients are at present on the waiting lists for admission to sanatoria under the control of regional hospital boards.

Mr. Bevan: On 30th June, 1948, the latest date for which figures are available, the number was 9,208.

Mrs. Castle: In view of these figures, will my right hon. Friend reconsider his refusal to allow regional hospital boards to follow the former practice of sending T.B. patients for free treatment in Switzerland?

Mr. Bevan: That is not a matter for me; it is a matter for the Treasury.

Hospital Patients

59. Mr. Skeffington asked the Minister of Health the number of patients admitted for treatment to hospitals under the Regional Hospital Boards, since the inauguration of the National Health Ser- vice on 5th July; and the comparable number during the same period last year.

Mr. Bevan: I am afraid the informa- tion is not available and would involve elaborate special inquiries to obtain. I am, however, proposing proper annual returns in future as part of the service.

HOUSING

Rhondda

32. Mr. Mainwaring asked the Minis- ter of Health what resolutions, dealing with housing conditions in Rhondda, on the part of miners and other industrial workers have been brought to his notice; and what urgent measures does he pro- pose to take to deal with the situation.

Mr. Bevan: I have not received any resolutions concerning the matters in question. My Department is endeavour- ing to expedite the erection of further houses within the resources available.

Mr. Mainwaring: Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Rhondda district in all probability is the worst housed

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Mr. Bevan: I am satisfied from my own knowledge that the housing condi- tions in the Rhondda are very bad indeed, and I am also satisfied that no unemployed building labour exists in the Rhondda, or in any part of South Wales. I understand that building labour is em- ployed to full capacity. If any further Jabour became available more houses could be built.

Emergency Accommodation,

London

40. Mr. Piratin asked the Minister of Health how long the 163 families accom- modated by the L.C.C. in London work- houses have been there; whether hus- bands are separated from wives; and whether he will ask the L.C.C. to give special priority for re-housing to these

cases.

Mr. Bevan: The majority of the families have been accommodated for periods varying from one to 12 weeks, ably longer. In 36 instances the husband but in some cases the period is consider-

is accommodated with his family. Priority for rehousing is a matter for the local housing authority.

Mr. Piratin: In view of the very dis- tressing circumstances of these families, particularly those separated for longer than three months mentioned by the Minister, would the Minister consult with the L.C.C. with a view to giving them very high priority? It would not affect the overall position in London and would help these people. Would he do that?

Mr. Bevan: I will certainly consult about those who have been separated from their families for a longer period; but, of course, the selection of tenants for houses is a matter laid by statute entirely upon the local authority, and I do not think hon. Members would like to accept the odium of making a select- tion.

Mr. Berry: Is my right hon. Friend aware that persons accommodated in workhouses are those who have come into London comparatively recently; and is he further aware that people who are