Scottish Liberal Democrats - delivering for Scotland

4.43.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 30th Jun 2005

Dundee Liberal Democrats today welcomed the Scottish Parliament's backing for the introduction of free eye and dental checks for everyone in Scotland.

The Liberal Democrat Partnership Agreement commitment to introduce free eye and dental checks is at the heart of the Smoking, Health and Social Care Bill which passed its final parliamentary hurdle today.

The Bill will also see the introduction of a ban on smoking in public places. The Scottish Liberal Democrats were the first political party in Scotland to back the ban.

Speaking after the Bill was passed, Nora Radcliffe MSP, Convener of the Scottish Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party, said:

"This Bill delivers a key Scottish Liberal Democrat policy, free eye and dental checks for all. Regular checks can catch problems with eyes such as glaucoma and mouth problems such as oral cancer before they become more serious. Removing the charges the Tories introduced will encourage more people to have these regular check ups. This legislation of course also delivers a comprehensive ban on smoking in enclosed public places. The Scottish Liberal Democrats were the first party in Scotland to support a comprehensive ban on smoking in enclosed public places. We have not supported a ban on smoking because it is popular but because we believe it is the right thing to do.

"The Scottish Liberal Democrats have put health promotion at the heart of government, tackling sexual health, smoking, alcohol, lack of exercise, poor diet, and now free eye and dental checks.

"In time, I am sure that the rest of the UK will follow Scotland's lead on health promotion, first in banning smoking in public places and secondly, abolishing unnecessary charges on essential eye and dental check-ups."

Cllr Fraser Macpherson, Dundee City Council Liberal Democrat Group Leader, welcomed the news, saying, "This is yet another example of Scotland benefiting from Liberal Democrat influence in the Scottish Executive. Again, its the Liberal Democrats who are delivering for Scotland."

Related Links:

Make the Difference - the Scottish Liberal Democrat Manifesto 2003.

Scottish Executive Announcement.