House of Lords: Medical Services for Members

HL Deb 03 December 2001 vol 629 cc80-1WA

Lord Jopling

asked the Chairman of Committees:

What progress has been made to provide medical services for members of the House of Lords which are comparable to those already available in the House of Commons [HL1486]

The Principal Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

As the Chairman of Committees stated in his answer of 24 April 2001(WA 222), the only difference in the medical services provided to Members of the two Houses is that Members of the Commons have access to a free health screening service every three years. The House has agreed that a similar service be made available to Members of this House next year. Negotiations are in progress to extend the medical contract with St Thomas' Hospital, which provides the screening service to the House of Commons, so as to include provision for Members of this House. The target date for the introduction of the new screening service is 1 April 2002.