§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in which public-sector occupations employees are eligible for any free medical service as part of their negotiated conditions of service.
§ Mr. Brittan[pursuant to his reply, 23 November 1981, c. 372.]: Employees in the Civil Service and National Health Service are not generally eligible for free medical services as part of their negotiated conditions of service unless they lack access to National Health Service facilities through working overseas, in which case they are provided with comparable facilities. Because of the special health requirements of military service, the Armed Forces receive free prescriptions and free dental treatment in addition to the same range of free services as is provided under the National Health Service. Whether this is relevant to the level of their pay is a matter for the Armed Forces Pay Review Body to consider in formulating its recommendations. My hon. Friend would need to approach the employers concerned for information on practice elsewhere in the public sector.