HL Deb 22 July 1974 vol 353 cc1410-1

2.40 p.m.

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many citizens of Gibraltar benefited this year (up to the end of June) from the provisions of paragraph (4) of the Agreement Cmnd. 5604 headed Hospital Care in the United Kingdom for Gibraltarians.

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, 26 Gibraltarian sponsored patients had been sent to the United Kingdom under the terms of paragraph (4) of the Agreement up to the end of June, 1974.

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, first of all, would not the Minister agree that there are a number of Gibraltarians who might well find it difficult to afford the £80-odd return air fare to this country? Can the noble Lord say what provisions exist to enable the poorer members of the community in Gibraltar to travel here for hospital care, bearing in mind that the Agreement to which the noble Lord referred does not extend to the payment of any travelling expenses between the two countries? The second question is this. As the provision in the Agreement is for a maximum of only 40 Gibraltarian citizens visiting this country for hospital treatment in a year, may not the figure of 40 be too small in view of the number sent during the six-month period that has already elapsed?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, on the second point, the Agreement, the exchange of dispatches, specifically provides for a review of that figure which is quoted in paragraph (4) (a) and (b). On the first point, the Agreement specifically excludes travel expenses between the two countries; but these are met by the Gibraltar Government, who also grant a maintenance allowance in the case of out-patients in need. I understand that the Gibraltar Government also meets the cost of passages and, if necessary, a maintenance allowance for one relative apart from patients.

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, do I understand the Minister aright that in fact in cases of need the Gibraltar Government does pay for the air fare of Gibraltarians?

LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, that is so.