§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has been made by his Department during the past 12 months in the simplification of the form E111 procedure to enable United Kingdom citizens to obtain medical treatment in member states of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. John PattenIn December 1982 a greatly simplified procedure for obtaining form E111 was introduced in this country, following a decision in the Council of Ministers which brought more people within the scope of the arrangements. Whereas previously the arrangements had applied only to European Community nationals insured for health care as employed persons in a member state of the Community, under the new procedure, all insured nationals of member states in the Community became eligible to use the form. A number of member states share our wish to see a much simpler system and the United Kingdom is continuing to play a full part in a review of the mechanics of the E111 system. It is, however, proving difficult to reach general agreement on practicable and effective changes which all member states could accept and accommodate within their widely differing health insurance schemes.