§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of(a) the cost of medical treatment paid for privately through medical insurance and (b) the impact of this on NHS costs per annum; [36729]
(2) what estimate he has made of the extent to which the use of private medical insurance impacts on costs to the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [36475]
§ Mr. MilburnThe Association of British Insurers estimates the cost of claims on private medical insurance policies in the United Kingdom at £1.4 billion in 1996. We have made no estimate of the impact of the use of private medical insurance on National Health Service costs.
§ Mr. NichollsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial contribution the private sector makes to healthcare in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [36464]
§ Mr. MilburnThe information requested is not collected centrally.