§ 51. Mr. Terry Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take action to negotiate further reciprocal arrangements with overseas Governments to protect British subjects travelling abroad from liability for hospital charges when they fall ill in foreign countries.
§ Dr. OwenIt is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to take every opportunity to negotiate reciprocal health service agreements which would enable British visitors abroad to obtain any necessary medical care without cost. Unfortunately this is not always possible, mainly because the health service arrangements in many countries are very different from our own and they are not usually prepared to provide facilities for British people on terms more favourable than those enjoyed by their own citizens.