§ 51. Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Minister of Health what study he has made of the extent to which changes would be required in the constitution and powers of the General Medical Council in order to implement the provisions of the Treaty of Rome.
§ Mr. PowellI am advised that none would necessarily be required.
§ Mr. Clark HutchisonWill the Minister remember that, as the General Medical Council is a sub-committee of the Privy Council, if there are any changes to be involved they will be fundamental, constitutional ones?
§ Mr. PowellI am not certain that I would necessarily agree with my hon. Friend's logic, but I am in close touch with the General Medical Council over this.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonDoes not the Minister mean by "none necessarily" that if the General Medical Council sees fit to recognise the qualifications that they are required to recognise under the Treaty of Rome there will be no legislation necessary, but that if it refuses it will be compelled to do so by legislation?
§ Mr. PowellNo. I mean that there is nothing in accession to the Treaty of Rome which would necessarily require the powers or the composition of the Geenral Medical Council to be altered.