HC Deb 08 May 1975 vol 891 cc499-500W
Mr. Gow

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will list the countries which provide free medical services similar to the facilities available free under the National Health Service to foreign nationals.

Dr. Owen

Comprehensive information about arrangement in other countries for treating people from overseas is not readily available. United Kingdom citizens in New Zealand are entitled to free treatment under New Zealand legislation, and urgent medical treatment is available under EEC Regulations to United Kingdom employed persons, pensioners and their dependants staying temporarily in other countries of the European Community on the same terms as those applying to insured nationals of the country concerned. All United Kingdom citizens visiting the following countries can obtain urgent medical treatment under bilateral reciprocal agreements on the same terms as those applying to citizens of the country concerned: Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark Federal Republic of Germany, Gibraltar, Malta, Norway, Romania, Sweden, USSR and Yugoslavia.