§ MR. ROGERS (Wiltshire, Devizes)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has considered the provisions of the Midwives Act,. 1902, which forbid the practices habitually and for gain, of midwifery after 1st January, 1910, by any woman not certified under the Act; whether he is aware that much doubt exists whether it will be found possible then and in future for trained certified midwives to earn an adequate livelihood by the practice of their profession in rural districts where population and births are few in number; and whether in view of the importance of proper care for mother and child, and the close 34 proximity of the date after which un skilled attendance is forbidden, he is prepared to introduce further legislation charging the supervising authorities, as created by the Act of 1902, with the duty and the power of securing for all cases of childbirth within their area such efficient nursing as the Act requires, but for which no provision is made.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) BatterseaThe attention of the Government has been called to this matter, which is primarily one for the Lord President of the Council. I understand that the whole subject is receiving his consideration, and that he is in communication with the Central Midwives Board with regard to it.