§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he takes to ensure that doctors and surgeons who are employed in the National Health Service are fully qualified and have their documents of qualification examined before employment; and whether he will make a statement on Abdul Latif Sharify who obtained employment in eight hospitals as a qualified doctor without medical qualifications.
§ Sir K. JosephNational Health Service authorities have been instructed that, before allowing a person to take up duty in any medical post, they should satisfy themselves that he is appropriately registered. Registration is granted by the General Medical Council only where a person satisfies them that, inter alia, he holds a medical qualification recognised by them. It is understood that Mr. Sharify obtained temporary registration with the Council on the basis of a forged diploma. Such instances have been ex-72W tremely rare and I understand that the scrutiny procedures are being carefully re-examined by the Council.