§ 19. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the dissatisfaction in regard to the fees prescribed by the Council for the Professions Supplementary to Medicine in the operation of Section 2 (3) (c) of the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act; and if he will introduce legislation amending this Act to provide that this body can demand a single registration fee only instead of an annual fee as at present.
§ Mr. PowellYes, Sir. Legislation would not be required.
§ Dr. JohnsonWill my right hon. Friend be kind enough, however, to comment on this situation and to advise the profession to the effect that the medical profession has always considered that the single registration fee to the General Medical Council has been quite sufficient for registration and that it is against the liberal spirit of a profession that a compulsory annual payment should be insisted upon?
§ Mr. PowellMy comment would be this—that the Council is under a statutory duty to prescribe fees which will defray its reasonable expenses. If it fixed a single entry or life fee it would have to be very much higher than the initial fee which it prescribes under its present arrangements.