HC Deb 18 July 1960 vol 627 cc16-8
14. Dr. Glyn

asked the Minister of Health how many foreigners belonging to countries with which this country has no reciprocal arrangements have received free treatment under the National Health Service in the last 12 months; and what is his estimate of the saving, including any administrative costs, that would accrue to the Exchequer if they were refused free medical treatment.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. With regard to the second part, having regard to the probable cost of any scheme for identifying foreigners, I doubt if any net saving would accrue.

Dr. Glyn

While thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for that answer, may I ask him whether he agrees that it would be of great benefit to British nationals if we could get reciprocal arrangements with as many countries as possible and that one of the best ways of doing that is to stop free medical treatment to nationals of countries which do not have reciprocal arrangements with us?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I agree with the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. It is a good thing to extend the principle of reciprocity as far as we can, and on that we are actively engaged. I cannot, however, agree with the second part of his supplementary question on the best method of obtaining reciprocity. I think that it is better to proceed in the way we are proceeding and to extend our agreements on a basis of good will wherever we can.

Mr. W. Griffiths

Does the Minister recall that in a debate on this subject his hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan), who was then Parliamentary Secretary, was good enough to obtain some figures for the London region? He revealed to the House that in the London area, Which attracts most overseas visitors, those from overseas who had used the National Health Service most were Australians, Canadians and members of the Commonwealth. Is not that a very desirable state of affairs?

Mr. Walker-Smith

Yes, but that does not come within the compass of my hon. Friend's Question about aliens. I am satisfied, however, that the cost of supplying these services is relatively small. We take steps to try to check abuse, but I think that generally speaking, in the second half of the twentieth century, it is desirable that we should try not to fall below the standard of those medieval monasteries which asked the sick traveller not whence he came or whither he went but sought to help and to 'heal him.