§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the EU Advisory Committee on the training of midwives is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive(a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [66413]
(2) when the EU Advisory Committee on medical training is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [66411]
(3) when the EU Advisory Committee on the training of dental practitioners is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement; [66414]
(4) when the EU Advisory Committee on training in nursing is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [66412]
§ Mr. HuttonI have asked to reply.
The Advisory Committees on midwifery, medical, dental, nursing and pharmaceutical training were set up to advise the European Commission and member states on matters relating to the training of workers whose professions come under sectoral directives guaranteeing free movement and automatic recognition of qualifications.
Each advisory committee has three members from each member state—one each from the practising profession, the education establishments and the competent authorities concerned. Three alternates are appointed on the same basis. Some of the United Kingdom's members and alternates of the advisory committees are Scottish, but the membership is there to represent the interests of all four UK countries.
The advisory committees have not met during the last 12 months, and are not likely to do so again.