§ Mr. Ovendenascked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with EEC Ministers about the extension of reciprocal medical arrangements to self-employed persons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleThe Commission has recently submitted to the Council draft regulations which would extend the provisions of the EEC Social Security Regulations to self-employed persons, as well as non-employed persons previously employed or previously self-employed. One of the main effects of these proposals would be to enable such persons, when visiting another member State, to receive urgent medical care on the same basis as insured nationals of that State. This is a measure for which the United Kingdom has consistently pressed. Detailed considerations of the proposals will take place in the Social Questions Working Group of the Council. A first meeting of this group took place on 1st February. The Commission proposals under reference R/30/78(SOC2) were deposited in Parliament on 16th January 1978.