§ 67. Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct regional hospital boards and boards of management to identify the country of origin of foreign visitors receiving treatment by the National Health Service and to record the charge of any such treatment to the National Health Service.
Mr. Edward TaylorNo. I am not prepared to impose this additional administrative task on hospital boards. Unless foreign patients are being given emergency treatment, they are charged at the appropriate private patient rates.
§ 68. Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many foreign visitors received medical treatment in Scotland in the year 1968–69; and what was the charge thereby to the National Health Service.
Mr. Edward TaylorThis information is not available. As I said in reply to the previous Question, foreign patients, unless they are being given emergency treatment, are charged at the appropriate private patient rates.