I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 54 and 83 together.
I want to assure the Deputy that the publication of a new medical practitioners Bill is regarded as a priority task in my Department for the current year. Officials are currently considering a number of policy issues, and appropriate consultations are taking place with the Medical Council. Once those policy issues are settled, Parliamentary Counsel will be asked to complete the drafting of the Bill, with a view to its publication later this year.
It is intended that the medical practitioners Bill will provide a statutory basis for an appropriate scheme of competence assurance for medical practitioners, which will be co-ordinated and administered by the Medical Council. In that context, voluntary participation by medical practitioners in structured audits as announced by the Medical Council is a welcome development.