§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated cost per annum arising from Welsh patients travelling to England for treatment.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettFor those services that are now subject to cross-charging arrangements, the cost of treating Welsh patients in England is, on the basis of Welsh health authorities' own estimates, anticipated to be in the region of £46 million in the current financial year.
The Welsh Office does not have information on the further cost of services provided in England to Welsh patients which are not subject to the new cross-charging arrangements, notably those in respect of supra-regional services and those provided by special health authorities and which are still funded by the Department of Health.