§ 25. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that local offices of his Department are adequately equipped to notify and explain to the public the evidence of reciprocal medical facilities for Britons travelling to the European Economic Community member States.
§ Dr. VaughanThe public can obtain from local offices copies of information leaflets SA30 and SA36. These describe the arrangements for obtaining free or reduced cost medical treatment abroad under the Community social security regulations and explain the procedures required in each European Community country to obtain such treatment. Local office staff have instructions concerning the operation of the regulations, the issue of leaflets and, where appropriate, the issue of certificates of entitlement to urgent medical treatment—form E111. Finally, in cases of difficulty local offices can seek advice from specialist officers at the Department's headquarters. If my hon. Friend has a particular problem in mind and will send me details, I shall look into the matter.