HL Deb 19 June 1991 vol 530 cc236-8

7.47 p.m.

Lord McColl of Dulwich

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now resolve itself into Committee on this Bill.

Moved, That the House do now resolve itself into Committee.—(Lord McColl of Dulwich.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

House in Committee accordingly.

[The DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (Lord Alport) in the Chair.]

Clause 1 [Amendment of definition of primary United Kingdom qualification]:

Lord McColl of Dulwich moved Amendment No. 1:

Leave out Clause 1 and insert the following new clause:

("Amendment of definition of "primary United Kingdom

qualification"

1. In section 4(3) of the Medical Act 1983 (definition of "primary United Kingdom qualification")—

  1. (a) in paragraph (b) (licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians of London etc.), after "London" insert "or the Royal College of Surgeons of England"; and
  2. (b) in paragraph (c) (membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England), after "England" insert "granted before the coming into force of section 1 of the Medical Qualifications (Amendment) Act 1991".").

The noble Lord said: I am grateful to the Department of Health, the Privy Council and the Royal College of Surgeons for their help in formulating these amendments.

Amendment No. 1 would replace the existing Clause 1. Paragraph (a) makes the same amendment as the original Clause I but it is inserted in a more appropriate place in the parent Act.

Paragraph (b) is to retain the present membership of the Royal College of Surgeons—MRCS—for those who secured that diploma as part of their primary United Kingdom qualification before the coming into force of this Bill. It should be emphasised that the MRCS qualification is not currently awarded on its own. It is always part of the conjoint diploma—MRCS LRCP. LRCP stands for Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians.

The present MRCS never stands on its own and therefore will not be confused with the new MRCS, which will in future be awarded to those who have completed their basic surgical training. That change will bring the Royal College of Surgeons of England into line with the Scottish Royal Colleges. I beg to move.

Lord Ennals

When the noble Lord introduced the Bill I said the appropriate words of congratulation to him on seizing the opportunity to do so and on the clarity with which he explained the Bill. I accept everything that he has said today. It is now as clear as mud. The amendments are longer than the Bill, but I cannot find anything with which to disagree. That being the case, I shall take up no more of the Committee's time.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hooper)

My noble friend has clearly explained the aims of his Bill and how the amendments he has tabled seek to protect the position of existing members of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

This is a welcome Bill, designed, as my noble friend said, to bring the primary qualifications of the Royal College of Surgeons of England into line with those of the Royal College of Physicians, the Society of Apothecaries and the equivalent Royal Colleges in Scotland. I understand that the consultations which are required under the Royal College of Surgeons Royal Charter are being undertaken. In the light of my noble friend's assurances, the reservations we voiced on Second Reading no longer remain and the way is now clear for the Government to support the Bill, which I happily do.

On Question, amendment agreed to.

Clause 1, as amended, agreed to.

Clause 2 [Short title and extent]:

Lord McColl of Dulwich moved Amendment No. 2: Page 1, line 9, at end insert: ("(1A) Section 1 of this Act shall come into force on such day as Her Majesty may appoint by Order in Council.").

The noble Lord said: On Second Reading it was accepted that the Royal College of Surgeons would have to consult its fellows and members before making its petition to the Privy Council for amendment of its charter, which of course is required to change the MRCS. Since Second Reading, the council of the college resolved on 13th June that an extraordinary meeting of its fellows and members should take place on 10th July to seek approval for amendments to the college ordinances that will enable the change in nomenclature to occur.

The purpose of the amendment is to delay the commencement order until that consultation has been completed and the charter of the Royal College of Surgeons has been amended by the Privy Council. We trust that that will occur within the next few months. I beg to move.

On Question, amendment agreed to.

Clause 2, as amended, agreed to.

In the Title:

Lord McColl of Dulwich moved Amendment No. 3:

Line 2, leave out ("recognition") and insert ("registration").

The noble Lord said: The amendment to the Bill's Long Title proposes reference to "registration" rather than "recognition". The reason for the proposal is to make the Long Title consistent with Sections 3 and 4 of the Medical Act 1983 which relate to primary qualifications for registration of medical practitioners. I am advised by the Department of Health that in the context of the Medical Act 1983 it is more appropriate to refer to "registration" than "recognition" of medical practitioners. I beg to move.

On Question, amendment agreed to.

Title, as amended, agreed to.

House resumed: Bill reported with amendments.