§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how far handicapped or disabled people from the United Kingdom visiting other European Economic Community countries are entitled to draw benefits and to receive treatment; and whether their entitlement differs in any way from that of people who are not handicapped or disabled.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe European Community regulations on social security make no distinction, as regards title to cash benefits and medical treatment during visits to other member States, between persons who are handicapped or disabled and those who are not. The regulations apply, however, at present only to persons who are or have been insured as employees and to the members of the families of such persons. Detailed information about title to the various social security benefits and to medical treatment during visits to other member States is given in the Department's leaflets SA 29 (benefits) and SA 28/30 (treatment). In particular, a person covered by the European Community regulations who is in460W receipt of invalidity benefit in the United Kingdom retains his title to that benefit for the period of any visit he may make to another Community country. If, while he is there, he needs immediate medical treatment, he may receive such treatment in accordance with the law of the country which he is visiting.