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If the Bill is passed by this Council, the provisions for the introduction of the universal licensing examination will provide a level playing field to all those wishing to practise medicine in Hong Kong, irrespective of where they received their training. To reassure the Hon Martin Barrow, this will ensure that Hong Kong meets its obligations under the General Agreement on Trade in Services fully and in a timely

manner.

The provisions regarding Limited Registration pave the way for medical practitioners in charge of exempted clinics, who as both Dr the Hon K. C Lam and the Hon Tam Yiu-chung have pointed out provided a useful service to the community for many years, and this will enable them to apply for limited registration.

Since we have not been able to address a number of other issues contained in the original Bill, we intend to bring them forward again early in the next legislative session.

Some Members have raised issues outside the revised scope of the Bill and much as I am tempted I will not comment on these issues here.

However, I am grateful to Dr the Hon C H Leong for some points he has raised. And at the same time I must refuted allegations that we have delayed the introduction of this Bill. We have been consulting the medical profession in detail over various important provisions in the Bill and were receiving additional proposed amendments even until early this year.

On the question of when the Universal Licensing Examination will take effect?

If the Bill is passed, provisions concerning the introduction of the universal licensing examination will come into effect on a date to be appointed by the Secretary for Health and Welfare and published in the gazette. Before this can be done, however, the format of the examination will need to be finalised.

Obviously we wish to provide a level playing field for all those entering the profession as soon as possible. We will therefore encourage the Medical Council to finalise the format and content of the universal licensing examination so that it can

be implemented as soon as practicable.

NE

Mr President, we shall fully consider the other points raised in the context of this Bill and refer them for the consideration of the Medical Council as appropriate.

With these remarks, I commend the Bill to Members.

End/Friday, July 28, 1995

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