§ 49. Mr. Somerville Hastingsasked the Lord President of the Council if he is aware of the long delay in the issue of registration forms for doctors under the General Practitioners and Pharmacists Act, 1947; and when he anticipates that these forms will be ready for distribution.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)I have been asked to reply. This is a matter for the General Medical Council, and I understand that in the case of the great majority of doctors who 1414 have expressed an intention of applying for registration under the Act the necessary forms were despatched by the end of last month.
§ Mr. HastingsDoes my right hon. Friend realise that there are some doctors who have served in our own Forces and who gave valuable services to their country and have been waiting for a year to get employment in this country?
§ Mr. BevanThat question hardly arises out of the original Question, because the Act was not passed until 18th December last, and it took some time to get the forms printed. A number of forms was necessary, and the forms are now going out at a considerable rate. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind I shall certainly look into it, because I am exceedingly anxious that these men should have justice done to them as speedily as possible.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingWith regard to the young doctor who has recently been demobilised, does he wait until the form is sent to him or does he apply for it, and to whom does he apply?
§ Mr. BevanI do not know whether the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the doctor concerned under this Act. He can, of course, apply to me or to the General Medical Council.
§ Mr. HastingsDo I understand from my right hon. Friend's answer that the forms have now gone out to all those who applied for them?
§ Mr. BevanYes. I said that in the great majority of cases in which doctors have applied, the forms were despatched before the end of last month.