§ Mrs. Lena Jegerasked the Prime Minister what representations he has received regarding the reorganisation of the General Medical Council; and what consideration he has given to this matter.
§ Sir K. JosephI have been asked to reply.
The constitution of the General Medical Council was reviewed by a working party of the profession established after a conference arranged in my Department and chaired by Sir Brynmor Jones. The recommendations of the working party have been accepted by the various professional bodies and the universities, but they require legislation for their full implementation which I have been asked to promote. I am aware that there have been suggestions that the functions of the council should be reviewed and that its financial arrangements have been the subject of a recent report. Informal discussion with the British Medical Association is expected shortly.