Lord TAYLORasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what logical basis the same fees for private beds are charged to overseas visitors as are charged to British citizens who have contributed fully through income and other taxation towards their share of the cost of the National Health Service.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLNational Health Service hospital treatment is available free to patients in Great Britain. Entitlement by contribution through taxation or otherwise is not required. It has been the policy of successive Governments since the inception of the National Health Service that persons making arrangements for private medical treatment within the National Health Service (in authorised hospitals), whether from overseas or not, should themselves pay the pay-bed charges determined from time to time in accordance with the statutory requirements which are in broad terms to cover the full cost.
House adjourned at thirteen minutes past six o'clock.