HC Deb 07 April 2003 vol 403 cc109-10W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria dentists from(a) countries about to join the EU and (b) EU countries have to meet before being able to practise in England. [106902]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 3 Apri1 2003]: All doctors and dentists wishing to practise in the United Kingdom must be registered with the General Medical Council and General Dental Council respectively. European Union nationals holding specified medical or dental qualifications awarded by other member states are entitled to automatic recognition in the UK on the basis of agreed minimum training requirements. Once ratified, the Accession Treaty will provide for the recognition of medical and dental qualifications awarded by the new member states on the same basis. Qualifications awarded following training begun after accession will comply with the minimum community requirements and be automatically recognised. In other cases, evidence of recent and substantial experience in the member state concerned may be required.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what checks there are to ensure that dentists from abroad wishing to practise in England have appropriate language skills to enable them to do so. [106903]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 3 April 2003]: Overseas qualified dentists wishing to practise in the United Kingdom have to satisfy the General Dental Council that they have the necessary knowledge of English. Nationals of other European Economic Area States are exempt from this requirement and assessing their language skills is a matter for employers.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria doctors from(a) EU countries and (b) those countries about to join the EU have to meet before being able to practise in England. [106904]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 3 Apri1 2003]: All doctors and dentists wishing to practise in the United Kingdom must be registered with the General Medical Council and General Dental Council respectively. European Union nationals holding specified medical or dental qualifications awarded by other member states are entitled to automatic recognition in the UK on the basis of agreed minimum training requirements. Once ratified, the Accession Treaty will provide for the recognition of medical and dental qualifications awarded by the new member states on the same basis. Qualifications awarded following training begun after accession will comply with the minimum Community requirements and be automatically recognised. In other cases, evidence of recent and substantial experience in the member state concerned may be required.