HC Deb 17 November 1978 vol 958 cc399-400W
Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the meeting of the EEC Council of Health Ministers in Brussels on 16th November.

Mr. Moyle

The second meeting of EEC Health Ministers was held to discuss economic aspects of health care, health education policies including those relating to smoking and nutrition, vaccination problems and other subjects of mutual interest. There was an exchange of information on control of health care costs, studies prepared for the Commission in this connection were noted and guidance given to the Commission on the preparation of further studies relating to pharmaceutical products, professional manpower and the harmonisation of definitions and statistical data relating to health care.

It was agreed that the Commission should send out a questionnaire about the procedures and resources available for mutual medical assistance in the event of very serious accidents or outbreaks of disease. There was a discussion of problems arising from the implementation of the directives on the freedom of movement of doctors. It was agreed, at my request, to consider whether present arrangements for advising the Commission on medical questions should be made more effective by the creation of a permanent body of experts.