HC Deb 21 May 1890 vol 344 cc1540-4

Order for Second Reading read.

(5.10.) MR. H. PEASE (York, N.R, Cleveland)

I beg to move the Second Reading of this Bill, the importance of which hon. Members will at once see. It is extremely necessary that there should be a registration of these women who attend people of humble circumstances in child-birth. Probably five-sixths of the cases of child-birth in this country are attended by midwives. There should be some means of registering these women, just as other professions are registered. This Bill, I may say, has been submitted to various bodies, and from them we have had a large amount of help. They almost entirely approve of the clauses of the Bill, and, in fact, many of the provisions have been drawn up by the Medical Societies themselves. At this hour I do not wish to go into the history of the matter. There have been attempts at legislation in this direction from time immemorial, and there have been Memorials sent to this house at a very ancient date asking for the registration of midwives. It would be quite unnecessary now to follow that question up. I, therefore, simply desire to move that the Bill be read a second time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. II. Pease.)

(5.12.) SIR R. LETHBRIDGE (Kensington, N.)

I rise to second the Motion for the Second Reading of this Bill, and I would point out to the hon. Member who has given notice of an Amendment, that the measure is of the greatest importance to the labouring classes of the country. The richer classes are already provided for in the matter, and have thoroughly well qualified practitioners to attend to their wants. The poorer classes, however, have constantly to have recourse to the assistance of midwives, instead of calling in highly qualified medical men. The Bill is meant in no wise to depreciate the value we all attach to the services of the noblest profession the country possesses; we only desire to see some of the enlightenment which is at the service of the richer classes, placed at the disposal of the poorer classes. The wives of labouring men are dependent on the services of midwives. Possibly, I shall be told that medical practitioners ought always to be employed; that, however, is absolutely impossible. There are not sufficient medical practitioners in this country to enable every poor woman to avail herself of their assistance in time of need, and if there were, it is perfectly obvious that it would be out of their power to incur the expense of employing them. I, therefore, do appeal to the hon. Member to withdraw his opposition, and I appeal to the House to pass the Bill into law without delay.

(5.15.) DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

I should certainly not have opposed the Bill if I had not received a great many complaints from medical men in various parts of the country. They say if the Bill passes into law, it will deprive many a medical man of the conduct of these cases of midwifery. They also point out that under the Bill a registered midwife will be able to conduct a case of natural labour." How is a midwife to be certain that the case she may be called in to will be a case of natural labour? I See, in the measure certain elements of danger to the community, as well as danger to the medical profession. The midwives may take it upon themselves to perform operations which which will be attended with manifest danger. However, if I can receive any assurance from the promoters of the Bill, I shall be only too happy to let it pass.

*(5.18.) SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston)

This is a Bill, the object of which is to protect female life in certain cases. As to the competency of women to manage these cases, there is ample evidence. Two French ladies are quoted as authorities in almost every book on the subject, and if French ladies can acquire the necessary skill for dealing with such cases, there is no reason why English ladies should not do the same. What we want is that the large proportion of the poorer classes who are attended by midwives should have competent and not incompetent midwives. I am constantly seeing cases in which the ignorance and incompetence of mid-wives proves dangerous to those on whom they attend. Only the other day I heard of a poor woman who was nursed by a midwife who went daily to attend upon a child suffering from a most infectious disease. It is through ignorant persons of this kind that much infectious disease is spread among lying-in women. The Bill would help to prevent this, and, therefore, I would urge the House to favourably consider it.

(5.20.) MR. T. M. HEALY

I am very glad indeed that this measure has been introduced, and the only fault I have to find with it is that it does not extend to Ireland. I do not know the reason unless it be in deference to the views of the Chief Secretary (Mr. A. J. Balfour), who said recently that Irishmen were responsible for the early marriages in that country.

(5.22.) MR. BRUNNER (Cheshire, Northwich)

I consent to the Second Reading of this Bill with a good deal of reluctance. We are almost week by week extending the principle of regulating people's lives. There is a considerable list of professions which are now registered, and the Bills now before the House will, if adopted, largely extend that list. I object to this measure coming into force on the 1st of January next, as it seems to me that women who are now engaged in the profession of midwives should have longer notice to prepare themselves for the stringent examinations which are proposed. There is another point upon which I take exception to the Bill. It provides that every woman who is to be registered must have a good moral character. I object to that most strongly. I do not see that it is more necessary for a woman than for a man to have a good moral character, and until registration under the Medical Act is refused to men who have not a good moral character, I shall insist that women shall be equally free.

(5.24.) SIR W. G. HUNTER (Hackney, Central)

I have great pleasure in supporting this Bill. As to the date at which it would come into operation, I may point out that the mid wives who are now practising without certificates can receive a certificate from a competent medical man, if they be of good character, and need not pass any examination.

(5.25.) MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

There are many Bills before the House affecting the liberty of the subject, and I really must rise to prevent the Second Reading of this Bill being agreed to to-day. Last year I had an unfortunate illustration of the evil of hurrying Bills through Parliament. When I was in peril of my life, if the medical man who was attending me had done his duty under the measure passed last Session, the disease from which I was suffering would have been notified, and I shonld have been liable to have been moved from my room. That might have been beneficial to the general public, but if it had been done I certainly should not have been here to-day to argue against this Bill. I cannot consent to the passing of a measure which provides that, instead of proving her medical capacity, a midwife shall produce a certificate of good moral character, signed by a Magistrate, or a clergyman, or some other minister of religion. This is the first time I have risen to speak at a period when I know that my opposition, if persisted in, must be fatal to a Bill for the Session, and I am excessively reluctant to do so to-day, but this measure is of such a character that I regard it as my duty to take this course.

Mr. DIXON HARTLAND

rose in his place, and claimed to move, "That the Question be now put;" but Mr. SPEAKER withheld his assent, and declined then to put that Question.

Debate resumed.

MR. BRADLAUGH

I can only say that when, after a few minutes' discussion on a question of this kind, the Closure is moved it is a lesson for those who are not in the habit of occupying much of the time of the House. My opposition to this Bill is not an opposition in the nature of obstruction, but is in accordance with principles my advocacy of which has been eagerly applauded from the other side of the House.

It being half after Five of the clock, the Debate stood adjourned.

Debate to be resumed on Friday, 30th May.