§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bryant Godman Irvine)With this we may also take Government Amendments Nos. 2 to 6.
§ Mr. MoyleI hope that this matter will not detain us very long. It will be recalled that in Committee there was general agreement that overseas doctors in respect of limited registration should be allowed to vote and stand as candidates in election of members to the new General Medical Council after three years, whereas the Bill as it went into Committee said that it should be after four years. Obviously, the Overseas Doctors Association agrees with these amendments. It was generally agreed in Committee that that was a desirable objective, and we are now moving these amendments to put it into effect.
§ Mr. Laurie Pavitt (Brent, South)I spoke on this matter in Committee. The undertaking given has been fulfilled and I merely wish to thank my hon. Friend the Minister of State.
§ Dr. VaughanWe welcome this change, too, and I know that overseas doctors will welcome it.
This involves an important principle. If the period on the temporary register when the doctor can vote for a member of the GMC is to be shortened, there is a strong argument put to me by some of the overseas doctors to the effect that, if the period is to be shortened at all, it should be brought right back to the time when the doctor is put on the temporary register. It seems to some doctors that there is an argument that either he should not vote until he is fully registered, or he should vote as soon as he is on the temporary register. I hope that before we accept these amendments the Minister will answer that point.
§ Mr. MoyleI have not the answer on that particular point. We agreed in Committee that it should be reduced from four to three years of limited registration, which will be the main form of registration for overseas doctors in future. Anything that relates to temporary registration will have only a transitional effect. We are dealing with the main situation for the future. I shall look into the issue and see whether there is anything in it. But I am ensuring here that what we all agreed in Committee shall take effect.
§ Dr. VaughanPerhaps I have not made myself clear. I was trying to ask whether as soon as a doctor is on any kind of 829 register he should be allowed to vote for the GMC.
§ Mr. MoyleI thought that the consensus in Committee was that he should be allowed to vote only after three years of limited registration. That is what I am trying to put into effect.
§ Amendment agreed to.
§ Amendments made: No. 2, in page 2, line 23 leave out 'four' and insert 'three'.
§ No. 3, in page 2, line 27 leave out 'five' and insert 'four'.
§ No. 4, in page 2, line 29, leave out 'four' and insert 'three'.
§ No. 5, in page 2, line 43, leave out 'five' and insert 'four'.
§ No. 6, in page 3, line 2 leave out 'four' and insert 'three'.—[Mr. Moyle.]