HL Deb 20 January 2004 vol 657 cc133-4WA
Lord Clement-Jones

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have assessed the contribution made over the years by not-for-profit providers of health cash plans to the support of the National Health Service and its patients; and what plans they have to encourage the further development of such funds as the National Health Service evolves into the future; and [HL628]

How many individuals currently benefit from cover provided by not-for-profit health cash plans; and what plans they have to publicise such plans. [HL629]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner)

The Department of Health does not collect information on:

  1. (a)contributions from not-for-profit providers of health cash plans in support of the National Health Service; or
  2. (b)numbers of individuals who benefit from such plans.
The department has no plans to publicise or encourage the development of health cash plans.