HC Deb 21 June 1976 vol 913 cc393-4W
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many citizens resident in the United Kingdom have been sent for medical treatment abroad at the expense of the British Government or of a local authority for each year from 1960 to 1976, giving precise figures for each year.

Dr. Owen

The only information available relates to persons authorised under EEC Regulation No. 1408/71 to public bodies ultimately answerable to himself, have search and entry powers into either the homes or the business premises of British citizens, with in each case reference to the appropriate statutory authority for the exercise of such powers.

Mr. Deakins

I am empowered under various statutes to authorise my officials to enter into premises for the purpose of inspection and the verification/collection of information. It is not possible to list every circumstance but the general purposes for which the powers are required and the authority under which they are taken are set out below:

visit another member State specifically for treatment.

The figures for the United Kingdom since accession to the EEC in 1973 are: 1973, 1; 1974, 2; 1975, 4; 1976, 4.