§ 15. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the total amount received in payment of health services by overseas visitors under the 1982 arrangements at the Central Middlesex, Wembley and Northwick Park hospitals, together with the total number of patients questioned about their entitlement to free National Health Service services at these hospitals.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergAll new patients at each hospital are questioned. At the Central Middlesex hospital 3,154 patients were questioned between October last year and February 1983 and charges amounting to £5,934 levied. At Wembley hospital 4,100 patients have been questioned since October 1982 and no charges levied. At Northwick Park charges of £2,367 have been levied but information about the number of patients questioned is not available. In view of the problems in the NHS at the time the scheme came into operation, and of the fact that they refer to the winter months, when tourism is at its lowest, I should not be inclined to attach too much importance to the figures at this stage.
§ Mr. PavittIs the Minister aware that these figures reveal, as do the national figures, that this is one of the biggest nonsenses perpetrated on the National Health Service? Thousands of people have been questioned and my estimate of income throughout the country is about £300,000 — not the £6 million referred to by the Minister. Does the Minister recall the case of the Royal Free hospital where, of the 8,000 people interviewed, eight had to pay and a total of £167 was forthcoming? Will the Minister now consult the Commission for Racial Equality on the effects of this policy on race relations in areas such as Brent?
§ Mr. FinsbergI notice that, in company with his colleagues, the hon. Gentelman denigrates any attempt to get extra money for the Health Service. There have been no allegations whatever of racial intolerance in this matter.
§ Mr. McQuarrieDoes my hon. Friend agree that the number of overseas visitors who come to this country and have to pay is acceptable to the vast majority of British people because of the additional funds thereby made available to the National Health Service, so ensuring that those who live here—whether their views are racial or otherwise—may enjoy the benefits of the NHS, which the Government have made better than any previous Government?
§ Mr. FinsbergMy hon. Friend is perfectly right. Any sensible person who is not covered by reciprocal arrangements would, before coming to this country, take out insurance.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyIs it not obvious that the Minister has created this enormous machinery simply to support some minor political point? Are we not spending far more in administrative costs in trying to get back smaller amounts than can ever be justified by any real attempt to raise money for the NHS?
§ Mr. FinsbergI could attempt to utter some words of wisdom to the hon. Lady. She had better wait until we get the full figures.