HC Deb 09 December 1975 vol 902 cc222-3
11. Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many reciprocal health agreements in respect of the self-employed have been reached with the EEC countries.

Dr. Owen

Two are in operation—with Denmark and Gibraltar—and an agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany is expected to be ratified shortly.

Mr. Lawrence

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the injustice of a situation in which the citizens of a number of our partners in the EEC enjoy free health treatment and social security benefits in this country which those partners are not, so far, prepared to extend to some of our citizens in their countries? Is he further aware that his Government have been in power for two years and that the self-employed, who pay a higher proportion to the National Insurance Fund than do the employed, are justifiably angry that the Government have so far failed to achieve very much for them in the EEC?

Dr. Owen

In general, other EEC countries do not make provisions for the health care of the self-employed, as we do in this country. However, following representations by this Government to the European Commission, the Commission is setting up a working party, which will include officials from the Department of Health and Social Security, to examine the question of the extension of benefits in the EEC social security regulations in relation to the self-employed and other groups not at present covered. Therefore, we do share an interest in this issue.

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