HC Deb 28 January 1957 vol 563 cc665-6
46. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Health the cost to the National Health Service of treating foreigners, during the year 1956; whether any sum was recouped from them, such as prescription charges; and whether he will now charge all foreigners the full economic price for any health services they receive in this country.

Mr. Vosper

I regret that the information referred to in the first part of the Question is not available, but the cost must certainly have been relatively very small. As regards the second part, foreigners receiving benefits under the National Health Service pay any applicable charges. In addition, hospital authorities have been asked not to make advance arrangements with foreigners for admission for free treatment. I am considering whether any further action is possible.

Mr. Nabarro

Will my right hon. Friend take steps at an early date to get the information which he says is not now available? And will he have some regard to the psychological factor; that large numbers of relatively poor people, being called upon to pay much larger prescription charges, thoroughly resent "plushy" Americans and others coming to this country and getting this service on the backs of the British taxpayer?

Mr. Vosper

It will be comparatively easy to give information about the hospital services, but much more difficult, as my hon. Friend must realise, to give information regarding the general practitioner service. Apart from the matter of principle, it would be a difficult administrative act to make a charge.

Dr. Summerskill

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if he accepts the suggestion of his hon. Friend he will be excluding all the Hungarian refugees in this country from the National Health Service?

Mr. Fell

At least will my right hon. Friend consider the express exclusion from the benefits of the National Health Service in this country of those people who, like the right hon. Member for Warrington (Dr. Summerskill), have recently stated that they do not wish to accept British nationality and say that they are ashamed—[Interruption].

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Nabarro

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I am thoroughly dissatisfied with the answer and wish to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

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