I believe I am expressing the opinion of practically everybody interested in the matter of medical education in the Free State when I say I welcome Clause 2 of this Bill. The great outstanding feature of the Bill is contained in this clause. It ensures that every medical student or practitioner educated or qualified in the Free State will have equal rights and equal privileges with those educated and qualified in other parts of the kingdom. It removes once and for all anxiety as regards the future, and I think it cannot, therefore, be too loudly proclaimed or too often reiterated that medical students will be under no disability in entering the medical schools here in future. There are one or two points that I would like to mention, if I may. I notice Section 10 reads, with regard to the nomination of members of the Council—"not more than two months nor less than one month before every expiration of the term of office of the nominated members of the Council." I think there ought to be an extension of that term. The time is very short. Some of these bodies, in the summer time, do not meet very often, and I think if the Minister could see his way to extend the period of time to perhaps three months and two months it would be a good thing.
Section 24 deals with foreign practitioners, but there is no mention of reciprocity. It differs in this respect from some other Acts, such as the General Registration and the Central Midwives' Board. These two bodies largely have reciprocity, and those registered in the Free State can claim registration in England and vice versa. Dealing with foreign countries, it is very important that there should be reciprocity. In Canada, for instance, although there is a certain amount of reciprocity, there are two provinces in which there is no reciprocity with England. If the Free State wishes to have reciprocity they might give reciprocity to foreign countries, or to some of the Colonies in return for the same right being granted to the Free State. It would be very desirable if the Free State could get reciprocity with foreign countries, for instance, in the case of France and Italy, because there are good openings in the South of France and along the Italian Riviera for medical men.
Section 29 deals with the removal from the register of persons guilty of "infamous conduct." I suggest to the Minister that at the end of the first portion of the section he might insert the words "if it sees fit."
