§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what legal advice he has received on the European Court of Justice judgment for receiving health care treatment abroad; and if he will place it in the Library. [11042]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 1 November 2001]: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
Legal advice was received from two counsel. It is not normal practice to publish advice obtained by the Secretary of State and there is no reason to depart from that practice in this case.