§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions are given by his Department regarding representations received at British embassies and High Commissions abroad from British nationals regarding unforeseen medical expenses incurred while on holiday.
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§ Mr. KershawOverseas posts are instructed to give every possible assistance to British nationals in difficulty abroad. Help in the case of unforeseen medical expenses incurred while on holiday can only be advice on, for example, the transfer of funds from the United Kingdom, or on the extent of cover provided by local schemes where reciprocal arrangements are in force. It may not, of course, extend to the payment of bills from public funds, since the National Health Service does not operate outside the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated revenue from passport fees for the current financial year; and if he will take steps to make part of the increased passport fee available for insurance of British passport holders against unforeseen medical expenses incurred on holiday abroad.
§ Mr. KershawThe estimated revenue from passport fees, both home and overseas, for the current financial year, is £8,762,000. There is no reason to suppose that insurance of British passport holders against unforeseen medical expenses incurred on holiday abroad is not adequately covered by private companies. Whenever a passport is issued, renewed or serviced in any other way, the holder is also given or sent a pamphlet, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, calling attention to the desirability of insuring against medical and other expenses incurred abroad.