§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding allegations of racial bias in the investigation of performance of doctors; and if he will make a statement. [155922]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 27 March 2001]: I am only aware of the independent report by the Policy Studies Institute, commissioned by the Genet al Medical Council (GMC) and published in July 2000. This concluded that there was no evidence of overt or covert racial discrimination or bias in the actions of individual members of staff. However there were some criticisms on some aspects of GMC processes particularly on consistency and transparency.
The GMC are currently considering this, as part of their proposals to reform its procedures.