HC Deb 24 February 1975 vol 887 cc30-1W
Mr. George Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes were made in the draft EEC directives on doctors when they were considered by the Council of Ministers on 11th February 1975.

Mrs. Castle

As my hon. Friend promised during the debate in the House on 6th February—[Vol. 885, c. 1739]—we sought a strengthening of the powers to assess language ability particularly in relation to doctors wishing to enter practice privately or in under-doctored areas. We obtained agreement to an additional provision in the directives which will enable member States to see that doctors acquire the linguistic knowledge necessary for the exercise of their profession in the country to which they are moving.

In addition, a committee of officials of member States will be set up to collect information and to consider any difficulties which may arise as a result of the implementation of the directives. If necessary the committee will be able to make recommendations for modification of the directives. With these safeguards, the directives were adopted in principle subject to the resolution of certain outstanding minor issues and formal agreement by the Danish Government.