Immigrants (NHS Treatment)

David Ruffley Excerpts
Monday 25th March 2013

(11 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his chutzpah in criticising the Government for not doing anything in two and a half years, when his Government did nothing in 13 years.

David Ruffley Portrait Mr David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds) (Con)
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The Secretary of State has made it clear why the figure of £20 million a year is a ridiculous underestimate of the true state of affairs. He will be thanked by every British taxpayer in this country, no matter what the saving, because they are getting increasingly tired of services being accessed by people who do not have a proper entitlement to them.

Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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I thank my hon. Friend for his comment. Of course I want to do a good job for taxpayers, but also for the 3 million British citizens who use the NHS every week and who find a service that, although the Government have protected its budget, is under increased pressure. I want to ensure that the system whereby people from other countries access those same services is one thing, and one thing only: fair.