§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what categories of visitors coming to the United Kingdom from EEC countries are not given free medical attention in view of the fact that self-employed persons going to EEC countries are not covered on a reciprocal basis; if she will seek to renegotiate the position; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenWith the exception of citizens of Denmark and Gibraltar, any nationals of other EEC countries visiting the United Kingdom who are not employed persons or pensioners or dependants of these are not entitled to free treatment, as they are not covered by EEC Social Security Regulations. However, like visitors from other countries, they would not be denied free emergency treatment if they fell ill or had an accident in this country, or if some pre-existing condition worsened to such an extent that its treatment could not wait. All citizens of Denmark and Gibraltar visiting this country are entitled to urgent treatment under the National Health Service on the basis of bilateral reciprocal agreements. Medical treatment is available under these same agreements to all United Kingdom visitors to Denmark and Gibraltar and should be available shortly to those visiting the Federal Republic of Germany. Her Majesty's Government have consistently 361W urged in Brussels that the EEC Regulations should be extended to cover the self-employed and a Commission working party is currently being set up to examine the question.
I have written in greater detail to my hon. Friend, in reply to his letter of 25th October on this subject.