§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is appropriate that a general medical practitioner whose registration was suspended by the General Medical Council in February 2000 should continue to be a medical adviser to the War Pensions Appeal Tribunal. [HL4441]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)There may be grounds for the Lord Chancellor to remove a medical member of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal who has had their registration suspended by the General Medical Council. Such suspension may invalidate their statutory qualifications as a tribunal member, or otherwise raise doubts as to their suitability for the position.
It would, of course, be impossible to comment on whether a particular general medical practitioner should be suspended from their position as a medical member of the tribunal until the full facts of the matter have been assessed. If the noble Countess has a particular case in mind, I invite her to write back to me with further details so the matter can be properly investigated.