§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will seek to simplify the procedure governing the right to free medical treatment for visitors to other European Economic Community countries.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe provision of health care benefits to nationals of the European Community countries is governed by the European Community regulations for social security for migrant workers. The United Kingdom takes every opportunity to press for simplification of the procedure governing entitlement but the agreement of all member Stales is necessary for changes to be made. I announced on 4 December 1980—[Vol. 995, c.351–3]—an important extension of the regulations to cover the self-employed, and a corresponding extension of cover to the non-employed, agreed by the Council of Ministers on 27 November last. Methods of implementing these decisions are being worked on, but the outcome should enable the procedures which apply in this country to be simplified.