Mr. Jim Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made with the proposed extension of EEC regulations to provide medical treatment for self-employed United Kingdom nationals when visiting other Community countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleThe proposed amendments, which would extend the provisions of the EEC social security regulations on migrant workers to self-employed persons, are being actively discussed in a working group of the Council. It is hoped that, as a result of the discussions, non-employed persons also will be included in this extension.
Meanwhile, decisions given by the European Court of Justice and by the British National Insurance Commissioner enable the regulations in their present form to be applied to a substantially wider group of people than those who are currently working for an employer. Any United Kingdom national who, within the current or immediately preceding tax year, has paid contributions as an employed person or—having previously been employed—as a self-employed or non-employed person, may now be given cover for medical treatment under the regulations. Nationals who are no longer working but who have received notification that sufficient contributions have been paid to give them entitlement to a full-rate retirement pension when they reach pensionable age, and who have at some time paid contributions in the United Kingdom as employed persons, may similarly be covered. Cover also extends to families of persons within the scope of the regulations.
An addendum giving information about these changes is being issued with the Department's leaflet SA 28. Anyone going to another Community country who has paid contributions as an employed person in the United Kingdom at some 603W time should obtain a copy of the leaflet before leaving and, if he considers that he might be covered for medical treatment while he is away, inquire about his position at a local office of my Department.