§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made in implementing the EEC medical directives.
§ Mr. MoyleMember States are required to implement the directives by 19th December 1976. The Government have now formally designated the General Medical Council and the other appropriate bodies in this country as competent to issue the documents required by doctors from the United Kingdom who wish to practise in another EEC country under the terms of the directives. It is also proposed to make an Order in Council under the European Communities Act to make the changes in the United Kingdom law which are necessary to give full effect to the directives, and in particular to allow doctors who are nationals of other EEC countries the same rights to practise here as United Kingdom doctors. Some complex legal issues have still to be resolved, so that it will not now be possible for the order to be made by 19th December. The EEC Commission is being informed of the delay, which I expect will be quite brief.