HC Deb 20 March 1967 vol 743 c1033
28. Mr. Holland

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps either to revise the methods of recovery or wholly to remit the charges payable under the Road Traffic Act, 1960, on account of hospital or emergency treatment of persons involved in motor accidents.

Mr. K. Robinson

As I informed the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd) on 27th June, 1966, I will bear this suggestion in mind but legislation would be required.—[Vol. 730, c. 1222–3.]

Mr. Holland

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that of an estimated £4¼ million liability to the hospital service in the year ended March, 1965, only just over £½ million was collected? Is it true that the high cost of collection makes these charges uneconomic?

Mr. Robinson

The amount collected was only about £600,000, and this is a matter which I am considering. All that I am suggesting is that it does not seem to justify a priority place in the legislative programme at the moment.