XN000022-1995-07-28 — Page 71

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Medical Registration (A) Bill: committee stage

Following is the speech by the acting Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Shelley Lau, at the committee stage of the Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill 1995 in the Legislative Council today (Friday);

Mr Chairman,

I move that clauses specified be amended as set out in the paper circulated to Members.

It is necessary to amend Clause 2(a) to retain certain existing definitions and to delete a number of clauses which fall outside the present reduced scope of the Bill.

The amended Clause 2 provides for the definitions of qualifying examination and Licensing Examination.

The purpose of amending Clauses 3 to 6 is to remove provisions concerning the future composition and structure of the Medical Council. Also, provisions concerning the register need to be amended consequent to the introduction of the proposed Licensing Examination.

The amended Clause 7 provides for the introduction of a Licensing Examination, which will provide a level playing field to those seeking to enter the medical profession in Hong Kong.

By amending Clause 9, it is specifically provided that a person with a degree in medicine and surgery from a university in Hong Kong as specified in the Schedule, together with the necessary experience, is qualified to be registered as a medical practitioner in Hong Kong.

Amendments to Clauses 10 and 14(1) are necessary with the introduction of the Schedule for the purposes of registration.

With the reduced scope of the Bill, Clauses 14, 15 and 17 need to be deleted.