HC Deb 04 November 1975 vol 899 cc216-8
20. Mr. David Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reciprocal arrangements are made for contributors to the British National Health Service requiring hospital treatment while in the EEC countries on business or on holiday.

Dr. Owen

The EEC Social Security Regulations which cover employed persons and their families, provide for urgent medical treatment, including hospital treatment, during a visit to another EEC country, on the same terms as for insured citizens of that country. Bilateral agreements with Denmark and Gibraltar entitle all United Kingdom visitors to urgent medical treatment in those territories.

Mr. Mitchell

Does that answer apply also to the self-employed?

Dr. Owen

The self-employed and non-employed are not covered by the EEC regulations, because medical treatment at public expense in other EEC countries is normally available only to persons who contribute to sickness schemes. Not all the EEC countries have such schemes for self-employed and non-employed people. On the other hand, our National Health Service is available to all residents in the United Kingdom, whether or not they pay national insurance contributions. Her Majesty's Government have urged in the Council of Ministers in Brussels that EEC regulations should be extended, or that new regulations should be introduced to cover self-employed and non-employed persons. It has been agreed to set up a special Community working party to consider the question. It is due to meet in Brussels very shortly and will include officials from my Department. Our fellow-members of the Community are under no illusion about the fact that we believe that the system should be extended.

Mrs. Winifred Ewing

Is the Minister aware that this matter is of burning concern to organisations in Scotland and in the rest of the United Kingdom which have been set up to look to the needs of self-employed people? Will he be more specific and say what, precisely, he intends to do to bring home this matter to the EEC? Incidentally, what does he mean by "very shortly"?

Dr. Owen

We have made clear in our discussions in the Community that although we recognise that there are differences in comparisons involving countries of the Nine, we believe that at present the self-employed person from Britain travelling in a Community country is at a disadvantage when compared with other EEC nationals. We have made this clear and intend to pursue the matter first in the working party which will take place in the next few weeks and then in the Council of Ministers. We shall have to discuss the subject in that Council.