§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many midwives were employed in national health service hospitals each year since 1980; how many community midwives were employed over the same period; and if he will describe the changes in Government policy concerning staffing complements for midwives over the same period.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 5 July 1993]: The data requested for the years 1980–91 are published in the annual issues of "Scottish Health Statistics". Data for 1992 are contained in "Health Briefing—NHSiS Non-medical/ dental Manpower Summary: 1980–1992". Copies of these publications are available in the House of Commons Library. There have been no changes during this period in Government policy concerning staffing complements for midwives. It remains for individual health boards and national health service trusts to decide the level of midwifery staffing appropriate to their needs in the light of local circumstances.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women, in each health board area, were refused the services of a community midwife in 1992 on the grounds of non-availability.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 5 July 1993]: Following inquiries of health boards, I am advised that in 1992 no woman, in any Scottish health board area, was refused a community midwife service on grounds of non-availability.