asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent problems have arisen in the operation of the new EEC agreement covering self-employed persons in receipt of reciprocal medical assistance whilst in transit in other member States of the Community.

The extension to the self-employed of the cover given by Regulation (EEC) No. 1408/71, which governs the provision of social security benefits, including medical treatment to nationals of member States moving within the Community, is still under discussion within the Council. A proposal by the Commission to this effect was made to the Council on 6th January 1978, and an amended proposal to include also the non-employed on 28th September 1978. The main problems yet to be resolved concern the application of the regulation to self- and non-employed persons in member States with no unified social security system. Amendment of the implementing Regulation (EEC) No. 574/72 will also be necessary.