HC Deb 04 May 1971 vol 816 cc1159-60
24. Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he has given to the European Economic Community's draft directives on the harmonisation and mutual acceptability of qualifications for the health professions between member countries; what estimate he has made as to whether such directives would be acceptable to the United Kingdom; and what effect he estimates such harmonisation and mutual acceptability of qualifications would have on the potential supply of doctors for the National Health Service if accepted by the United Kingdom upon entry into the European Economic Community.

Mr. Alison

We are considering with the appropriate registering bodies and professional associations the possible implications for the health professions in this country, if we join the Community, of the directives in accordance with the drafts so far published. It is too soon to make a full assessment, but no substantial change in the supply of doctors for the National Health Service seems likely.

Mr. Clarke

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer and for the consideration which, clearly, he has given to the matter. Will he accept that if we can get terms and conditions for members of our medical profession comparable with those of European countries, it is possible that the mutual acceptability of quafications may lead to a valuable source of additional medical personnel in this country, bearing in mind the time which must elapse before we can have an adequate supply of doctors trained here?

Mr. Alison

I accept the broad outline contained in my hon. Friend's suggestion. However, the language barrier will still represent a severe impediment to any cross-movement.

Mr. Pavitt

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the failure rates in comparable examinations was 6 per cent. in Great Britain compared with 71 per cent. in Italy? If we have harmonisation, there is the possibility of consultants on this side who at the moment are nine-elevenths engaged in the Health Service spending a great deal of time performing operations on the Continent, to the detriment of the manpower position in our hospitals.

Mr. Alison

I take note of that, but I think we should get closer to the Community before pondering these imponderables.