HC Deb 11 December 1980 vol 995 c452W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to curb the growth of private hospitals and private medical practices, especially those catering for patients from abroad; and if not, why not.

Dr. Vaughan

The Government welcome the development of the private medical sector. The private sector brings extra resources to health care to supplement those available in the NHS. We have retained (with some amendments) the system of control in the Health Services Act 1976: this ensures that the NHS is not adversely affected to any significant extent by private hospital developments. This is the only control, apart from the usual planning and registration requirements, that we believe is necessary. So far as patients from abroad are concerned, the Government welcome the maintenance of the United Kingdom as a centre of medical excellence. This benefits both the NHS and the private sector and has indirect benefits for both trade and international good will.