asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations have taken place between his Department and the dental profession regarding the payment of a weighting allowance for general practitioners in the Greater London Area.

None recently.

Although the Minister is not at the moment directly involved, does not he agree that, in view of the exceptionally heavy expenses which are incurred by dentists in the London area, there is a very strong case for the payment of a special allowance along the lines of that paid to civil servants and members of other professions who work in London as opposed to other parts of the country?

As almost half the general dental practitioners in England and Wales practise in London and the home counties, I cannot believe that many find it financially disadvantageous to do so.