§ Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Health to what extent reciprocal arrangements have now been made for British citizens temporarily resident in the Dominions 66W and United States of America in respect of health insurance hospital benefits and welfare schemes comparable to those in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. TurtonMedical and hospital treatment in the United States are on a private footing, and there is thus no suitable common basis for a reciprocal agreement with that country. As regards the Commonwealth, there are arrangements with Australia and New Zealand as follows:
Australia
Under Australian legislation free medical treatment is available to various classes of pensioners and their dependants. A reciprocal agreement with the Australian Government enables citizens coming from the United Kingdom to Australia to qualify for such pensions, and hence for free medical treatment, by virtue of their United Kingdom insurance.
New Zealand
United Kingdom citizens in New Zealand receive medical treatment on the same terms as New Zealand citizens, although there is no formal reciprocal agreement to that effect.
§ Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Health the annual money value to the individual citizen of the hospital services and health insurance benefits.
§ Mr. TurtonThe cost per head of civilian population in England and Wales met from all sources of income, other than payments by persons using the services, is estimated for 1956–57 as £7 4s. 0d. for hospital and specialist services only and £12 2s. 0d. for all services provided as part of the National Health Service. Any question relating to expenditure on National Insurance benefits should be addressed to the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance.