§ 15. Mr. William Wellsasked the Minister of Health how many applications have been made for registration in the medical register under Section 3 of the Medical Practitioners and Pharmacists Act, 1947; how many such applications are now pending; for how long they have been pending; and when they will be decided.
§ Mr. BevanOne hundred and seventy-four, of which 39, made at varying dates during the last year, are still pending. The decision of nine of these has been deferred for the time being in the 1194 applicants' own interest (they are abroad and cannot be registered unless resident in the United Kingdom); further information is awaited from 10, and an early decision is expected on three; one application was received a few days ago. The remaining 16 involve legal questions of some difficulty which the G.M.C. are endeavouring to resolve as speedily as possible.
§ Mr. WellsIs the Minister aware that in one case, the application has been delayed for a year, and does not he agree that it is important in everybody's interest that applications should be dealt with expeditiously?
§ Mr. BevanBut as I do not know the particular instance to which my hon. Friend refers, I cannot say that the delay is unreasonable.