HC Deb 21 January 1948 vol 446 cc203-4
44. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to what extent or under what circumstances colonial medical practitioners trained in the U.S.A. and Canada cannot practise in British colonies; and what action he will take to ensure that they shall be entitled to practise provided their training and qualifications are equated to British standards.

Mr. Rees-Williams

Most Colonies follow the practice of the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom with regard to the registration of qualifications obtained in the U.S.A. and Canada. Certain Canadian qualifications are registrable by the General Medical Council, but there is no reciprocity between the U.S.A. and the United Kingdom and no U.S.A. qualifications are registrable. There is provision in the legislation of some Colonies for the registration of qualifications other than those registrable by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom. My hon. Friend will find the details in a memorandum, of which I am sending him a copy. My right hon. Friend knows of no reason why Colonial Governments generally should not continue to follow the practice of the General Medical Council, but he is considering, in consultation with the Governments concerned, the possi- bility of special temporary arrangements being made to permit the registration of doctors who, because of the war, studied in North America instead of in the United Kingdom, provided that their qualifications are satisfactory.

Mr. Sorensen

Surely, in view of the scarcity of qualified medical men in the Colonies, it is unfair to advance the plea of no reciprocity as an excuse for not allowing some of these men who could practise in the Colonies to do so?

Mr. Rees-Williams

It is a question of protection of the public, and we consider that it is quite as important for the public in the Colonies to be protected as it is that the public in this country should be protected. A doctor may have the same qualifications, broadly speaking, to practice in the Colonies as he has to practice here.

Mr. Sorensen

Then it is a question of reciprocity, and not of qualifications?