HC Deb 04 February 1957 vol 564 cc7-8
40 Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Health (1) the cost during 1956 of National Health Service prescriptions for foreigners; and whether, during 1957, foreigners will be required to pay the new scale of prescription charges;

(2) how many foreigners, and at what cost, have received treatment in hospitals operated within the National Health Service; and whether, during 1957, foreigners will be required to pay the full economic price for hospital treatment;

(3) what administrative machinery he has available for charging foreigners the full economic cost of treatment and prescriptions received under the National Health Service.

Mr. Vosper

I regret that the information requested about numbers and costs is not available. Foreigners, like all other persons, have to pay the revised prescription charges. For the rest, as I told my hon. Friend on 28th January, I am considering whether any further action is possible.

Mr. Nabarro

Would my right hon. Friend confirm that no new legislation is necessary to give effect to charging all foreign visitors the full economic price for any services which they may have under the National Health Service arrangements? I specifically exempt from that provision foreigners who may be working in this country and awaiting naturalisation.

Mr. Vosper

That is quite correct. Statutory provision was made under the National Health Service (Amendment) Act, 1949. The difficulties are administrative. My hon. Friend has already given notice that he will raise this matter on the Adjournment; I suggest that between now and then he might consider the problem of how to differentiate between those who are aliens and those who merely have unusual-sounding names.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will not the right hon. Gentleman resist the efforts of his hon. Friend, whether with foreign-sounding names or not, to enforce this change which, in our view, would merely make this country look ridiculous, in view of the fact that it is almost impossible to decide for this purpose who is a foreigner and who is not?

Mr. Nabarro

What about Summerskjold?

Mr. Vosper

I can only repeat that the administrative difficulties are very considerable. No doubt the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop) will put that point when my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) raises the matter on the Adjournment.

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