HC Deb 26 October 1972 vol 843 cc428-9W
Dr. Summerskill

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will hold a Government inquiry into the constitution, finances and objects of the General Medical Council.

(2) what action the Government propose to take concerning the doctors threatened with the removal of their names from the Medical Register on 15th November.

Sir K. Joseph

As regards the composition of the General Medical Council, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to her on 11th April. As regards the Council's functions, I expect very shortly to know the outcome of discussions between the Council and the British Medical Association, and shall then decide what further action, if any, is required. The legal position is that erasure of a doctor's name from the Medical Register precludes his employment as such in the National Health Service.—[Vol. 834, c. 1013–14.]