§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the reply 81W of 24 November, Official Report, c. 489, what were his reasons for deciding to pay the National Health Service directly for any costs incurred by ill health of foreign aid-funded students, rather than taking out health insurance for these students.
§ Mr. Neil MartenThe general presumption is that the Government do not take out commercial insurance but bear risks directly instead. There was no reason to deviate from normal practice in this case.
§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply of 24 November, Official Report, c. 489, what he estimates the annual cost will be for paying hospitals directly for any costs incurred by the ill health of foreign aid-funded students.
§ Mr. Neil MartenIt is very difficult to make a firm estimate of the costs of such treatment. Experience indicates that aid-funded students, who are medically examined before coming to Britain, normally have a good health record whilst in this country and I should not expect the annual cost of hospital treatment to exceed £100,000.