UK Borders Bill

Members of the Committee can get into a lather on this issue and I do not want that to colour our deliberations. Our staff and our healthcare staff are very sensitive about this issue and respond sensitively to it. Occasionally there may be examples of bad practice but they are very few and far between. I should not like it to be generally thought that bad practice is apparent. As I say, this is a very sensitive situation, and I am sure that healthcare will be provided. The sort of circumstances to which the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, refers are precisely those where I am sure that assistance will be rendered. The issue of cost recovery would be a secondary matter. The denial of access to the health service would not be right or proper. We need to reflect very carefully on these issues. From my contact with the services, I understand that very careful consideration is given in those circumstances.