§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to inform the General Medical Council of the importance in certain parts of Wales for doctors to be able to understand the Welsh language, and for this criterion to be borne in mind in the registration of doctors suitable to practise in such areas.
§ Mr. Barry JonesWhile doctors must be registered by the General Medical Council before they may practise within the United Kingdom, the suitability of a doctor for a particular post is the concern not of the council but of the area health authority, the family practitioner committee and the medical practices committee. These bodies are well aware of the desirability of having Welsh speaking doctors in certain areas.