HC Deb 14 November 2001 vol 374 c795W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if chiropodists and podiatrists in private practice will be represented on the Health Professions Council; and if he will make a statement. [13729]

Mr. Hutton

All registered professionals, whether they work in the private sector or not, will be represented on the new council. The council will also be able to recruit additional members to its committees including its professional advisory panels, and will be encouraged to cover all sectors of the professions.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if podiatrists and chiropodists in private practice will be recognised for the purposes of state registration; and if he will make a statement. [13730]

Mr. Hutton

The new Health Professions Council will determine arrangements for the admission to its register for each of the professions it regulates. Chiropodists and podiatrists who meet the council's standards for registration will be recognised as state registered.

Special transitional arrangements will enable those whose training and competence do not meet the council's standards to be recognised for registration purposes.