41. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Health what is estimated to be the approximate annual cost of treatment and operations given to foreigners under the National Health Service; and what steps are taken to limit foreigners coming to this country for the express purpose of obtaining free medical treatment or operations.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithComprehensive information about the use of the National Health Service by foreigners is not available, but the total number who come here is not such as to suggest that the additional cost of treating those who use the Service can be anything but marginal in 26 relation to the cost of providing for our own people. Aliens are not normally allowed to enter the country for the sole purpose of obtaining free medical treatment.
Mr. Gresham CookeIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there is a great deal of concern about this matter? [HON. MEMBERS: "Where?"] I can give him several instances. One was of a Swiss girl who entered the country recently and was operated on for a completely non-urgent condition. In view of this concern, is it not right that some approximate notice should he given to the public of the cost of treating foreigners at the present time?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am not as yet aware of the facts in the individual case to which my hon. Friend has referred. If he will send them to me, I shall certainly look at it. In general, hospitals are aware of the view of the Government that persons normally resident overseas should not obtain free such treatment as surgery in non-urgent cases if it appears that they have come here mainly for that purpose.