Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 65:

In page 43, line 10, to delete ", the details of which are registered on the Register".

If the Minister has spare civil servants, perhaps she would dispatch them to Members who have tabled too many amendments.

My amendment deals with the details registered on the register. Section 57, as drafted, would make it a criminal offence for a vet to advertise or use any qualification that is not registered on the register. This appears unduly harsh, particularly if the qualification is one the practice might enjoy. The amendment would make it clear that a vet is committing an offence by claiming to have a qualification he or she does not have and it is not necessary that the qualification be registered on the register to avoid criminal liability. We consider that the vet should be obliged to register full details but that can be dealt with under other sections. We tabled this amendment to seek clarification.