HL Deb 17 May 1991 vol 528 cc1893-4

1.23 p.m.

Baroness Trumpington rose to move that the draft order laid before the House on 25th April be approved. [17th Report from the Joint Committee].

The noble Baroness said: My Lords, the draft order which applies to the United Kingdom is made under the European Communities Act 1972 and amends the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 to allow, subject to certain conditions, the recognition of qualifications obtained by veterinary surgeons who trained and qualified in the former German Democratic Republic in order that they can practise in the UK as from 1st July 1991.

Before unification the United Kingdom had not had to consider accepting veterinarians trained in East Germany to work in this country. Following unification the question has now arisen. As the former GDR is now part of the EC, veterinarians who qualified there are automatically eligible to work in other member states provided that they have commenced training prior to unification; are entitled to practice throughout Germany to the same extent as a holder of the German state examination certificate in veterinary medicine; and can produce a certificate from the competent German authority showing that they have lawfully practised veterinary surgery for three consecutive years during the last five. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and other interested organisations have been consulted and are content with the proposal. I commend the order to the House. I beg to move.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 25th April be approved. [17th Report from the Joint Committee]. —(Baroness Trumpington.)

Lord Gallacher

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for explaining the order. I also thank her for the kindness that she showed in giving advance notice of the extent of the consultation process which had taken place prior to the tabling of the order. I have received advice from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association that they were fully consulted and are in agreement with the order.

It is a bonus of sorts for qualified vets in the German Democratic Republic as a result of unification. One cannot say to what extent employment opportunities will present themselves in the United Kingdom but under EC law they now have that opportunity. We on this side of the House accept the spirit and purpose of the order.

On Question, Motion agreed to.