HC Deb 22 July 1976 vol 915 cc588-9W
Mr. Lee

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of countries with which the United Kingdom has successfully negotiated reciprocal health service arrangements; how many other countries are the subject of negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Owen

Bilateral reciprocal agreements provide urgent medical treatment for all United Kingdom visitors to the following countries—

  • Austria
  • Bulgaria
  • Channel Islands
  • Czechoslovakia
  • Malta
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Romania
  • Sweden
  • Yugoslavia
  • USSR

The EEC social security regulations provide urgent treatment for employed United Kingdom nationals and their families visiting other Community countries. Bilateral agreements with Denmark, the German Federal Republic and Gibraltar provide similar cover for persons not within the scope of the EEC regulations.

Discussions on possible bilateral agreements have been held with Hungary, Israel and Japan. An EEC working party is considering how the EEC regulations could be extended to provide for persons not at present covered.