§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware of the administrative problems regarding reciprocal medical treatment for British schoolchildren visiting EEC countries; if he will take steps to reduce the paper work and increase the medical cover for such British visitors; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephI am not aware of any administrative problems arising from the present procedure which is laid down in the EEC Social Security Regulations. As these regulations cover only employed persons, pensioners and their dependants, a certificate of entitlement, obtainable by parents from local social security offices, needs to be produced to the authorities in other member States, apart from Denmark and the Irish Republic. We shall use any opportunity to simplify this procedure and to extend the scope of the EEC regulations.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that self-employed persons visiting EEC countries do not enjoy medical benefits in these countries; if he will take steps to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephSelf-employed persons visiting Denmark are already entitled to free health care by virtue of a bilateral agreement with that country. We shall endeavour where possible to have this cover provided in other member States by an extension either of existing bilateral arrangements or of the scope of the E.E.C. Social Security Regulations. However, as there is at present no general social security cover for self-employed persons in other member States of the Community, we cannot expect an early change of this kind.