HC Deb 23 October 1961 vol 646 cc536-7
9. Mr. W. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health what instructions, or guidance, he proposes to give to executive councils to deal with applications made by non-British residents or visitors to the United Kingdom who wish to use the Supplementary Ophthalmic Service, the Dental Service, or the services of a general practitioner who is on the executive councils' list.

Mr. Powell

I have this matter under consideration.

Mr. Griffiths

Is the Minister aware that his speech at the Conservative Party conference in which he yielded to these mean-spirited delegates to throw over the Good Samaritan content of the National Health Service is utterly rejected by hon. Members on this side of the House'? Will he at the earliest possible date lay before the House his proposals on this matter so that we can examine them?

Mr. Powell

I have not yielded to anybody on this. The National Health Service is for the people of this country, and the practical question is to ensure that it is used by them.

Mr. K. Robinson

As the Minister told the conference that visitors to this country have no right to the medical services of the National Health Service, what was the authority on which the past practice of granting these facilities rested?

Mr. Powell

There is no right in a visitor, not being a person of England and Wales, to use the National Health Service; but, since the inception of the Service, it has been the custom to give emergency treatment, commonly called Good Samaritan treatment, even to visitors.

Mr. Manuel

Can the Minister say exactly what he means when he says that the National Health Service is for the people of this country and only for the people of this country? What about the reciprocal agreements with other countries, where we try to meet our obligations, as do the other countries, under those agreements? Is the Minister not in favour of them?

Mr. Powell

Reciprocal agreements give no right to a person to come to this country for the purpose of obtaining treatment.

Mr. Manuel

That is not what it says in the Question.