§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what progress has been made towards reaching an agreement with the Italian Government to enable all United Kingdom citizens not covered by existing EEC regulations to obtain medical care whilst visiting Italy:
(2) what progress has been made towards reaching an agreement with the West German Government to enable all United Kingdom citizens not covered by existing EEC regulations to obtain medical care whilst visiting West Germany;
(3) what progress has been made towards reaching an agreement with the Government of Holland to enable all United Kingdom citizens not covered by existing EEC regulations to obtain medical care whilst in Holland;
(4) what progress has been made towards reaching agreement with the French Government to enable all United Kingdom citizens not covered by existing FEC regulations to obtain medical cafe whilst visiting France;
(5) what progress has been made towards reaching agreement with the Belgian Government to enable all United Kingdom citizens not covered by existing EEC regulations to obtain medical care whilst in Belgium;
(6) what progress has been made towards reaching agreement with the Government of Luxembourg to enable all United Kingdom citizens not covered by existing EEC regulations to obtain medical care whilst visiting Luxembourg;
(7) whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to seek amendment of existing EEC regulations governing medical treatment for nationals of member States travelling within the Community so as to include self-employed persons within the scope of general pro-
452Wlatest available five-year period, and the estimated corresponding benefit costs:
tection; what steps have been taken to notify the appropriate organs of the Community of such a policy; and what steps it is proposed to take to bring about an early appropriate amendment of the material regulations.
§ Dr. OwenUnited Kingdom citizens not covered by the existing EEC regulations can already obtain medical care whilst visiting Denmark under a bilateral agreement made before the United Kingdom acceded to the EEC. Similar provision will shortly extend to the Federal Republic of Germany under a bilateral agreement signed last year and due to be ratified soon. It was stressed at the meeting of the Council of Ministers (Social Affairs) in Luxembourg on 10th June 1974 that Her Majesty's Government attach great importance to the early extension of social security and health provisions to persons moving between member States who are not already covered by existing EEC arrangements. Discussions to this end are already proceeding within the Community.