HC Deb 20 January 2003 vol 398 c133W
Chris Grayling

To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what treaty provisions the European Commission has jurisdiction over the registration of medical practitioners. [88177]

Mr. Hutton

The Treaty establishing the European Community guaranteed the freedom for every European citizen to work, set up business or provide services in any member state. Subsequent Directives set out the provisions for automatic mutual recognition of qualifications in many health professions and other professions, such as veterinary surgeons and architects. Member states must implement these Directives into their domestic legislation.

The registration procedures used by a member state to regulate medical practitioners remains a responsibility of the individual member state, not of the European Commission. In the United Kingdom, the General Medical Council is the body responsible for registration of medical practitioners.