§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 July 2002, ref. 69433, who meets the cost of treatment by general practitioners of persons who are not entitled to NHS treatment; how many people who are not entitled to NHS treatment have been treated at NHS expense in the last year for which information is available; and what steps he takes to ensure recovery of the costs. [72551]
§ Ms BlearsGeneral practitioners may not provide National Health Service treatment other than emergency or immediately necessary treatment to persons who are not eligible for inclusion on their patient lists. They may however treat such patients privately. No data are held on the incidence or costs of such treatment.