§ Mr. Ronald Bellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from insurers and from motoring organisations about the future of emergency treatment charges under the Road Traffic Act.
§ Dr. VaughanThe chairman of the Motor Conference, on behalf of the insurers, and the Royal Automobile Club have recently expressed continuing objections in principle to the levying of charges against motorists under the Road 829W Traffic Act 1972 in respect of NHS treatment costs following road traffic accidents. In particular they have expressed concern at the continuation of the emergency treatment fee which they consider results in uneconomic administrative work.
The changes we have made in these charges are among a number of measures designed to relieve public expenditure on the NHS while maintaining the level of services to patients.