HC Deb 17 October 1989 vol 158 cc36-7W
Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) under what powers he can limit foreign AIDS patients from coming to the United Kingdom for free treatment; and under what circumstances he uses those powers;

(2) whether he will investigate the prevalence amongst foreign AIDS patients of coming to the United Kingdom for treatment for (a) medical and (b) personal reasons, setting out those personal reasons.

Mr. Mellor

[holding answer 27 July 1989]: The National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1987 provide that an overseas visitor is exempt from charges for NHS hospital treatment for HIV infection only in relation to initial diagnostic testing and associated counselling. Such a visitor would have to pay charges in the usual way for any subsequent hospital treatment whether as an inpatient or an outpatient. Health authorities are required to make such charges in every case. The question of limiting entry to the United Kingdom is one for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs.

We have no plans to investigate the reasons why AIDS patients come to this country for treatment and know of no reason to do so. We are satisfied that the present charging arrangements are a reasonable response to the situation.