3.—(1) Section 29B of the Act (grant, refusal and withdrawal of licence)(1) is amended in accordance with this article.
(2) In subsection (1) after ‘shall’ insert ‘subject to subsection (1A),’.
(3) After subsection (1) insert—
“(1A) Regulations under section 29A may include provision for a licensing authority to refuse to grant a licence to practise for a medical practitioner in any case where the person has not demonstrated the necessary knowledge of English to the authority (notwithstanding the medical practitioner’s registration under Part 2 or 3).
(1B) Regulations under section 29A which include provision under subsection (1A) must also include provision requiring the licensing authority, when determining whether a medical practitioner has demonstrated the necessary knowledge of English, to have regard to guidance published under section 29G(2A).”.
(4) After subsection (2C) insert—
“(2D) Regulations under section 29A may include provision requiring a licensing authority to take account, in particular, of such evidence as a medical practitioner provides of his knowledge of English.”.
Section 29B was added by S.I. 2002/3135 (commencement as notified in the London Gazette dated August 21, 2009), and amended by S.I. 2006/1914; and S.I. 2008/3131 (date to be appointed); there are other amending instruments but none are relevant.