§ Dr. Mawhinneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to lay regulations providing for charges to overseas visitors under the National Health Service; and what arrangements there will be for overseas students already here.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinWe received much helpful comment in response to our consultative circular HN(81)13 on the NHS treatment of overseas visitors. We have decided not to lay regulations until further consideration has been given to the details of implementation. We now propose to set up a working party of NHS officers with some professional and community relations representatives to help prepare advice to the NHS and health professions on how best to operate a scheme combining simplicity and fairness while minimising abuse. I hope the working party will report quickly so that a draft circular of guidance can be sent to the NHS and the regulations laid as soon as Parliament returns after the Summer Recess. Implementation of the proposals would be early in 1982. We plan to exempt overseas students already undertaking a full-time course of study on the implementation date for the remainder of their stay in this country.