§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTasked the Prime Minister whether it has been brought to his notice that there is a growing feeling of opposition to certain provisions in the two successive Midwives Bills introduced by the Government last Session, notably the proposed importation, for the first time, of the machinery of the Poor Law, and the proposed annual renewal of the midwives' registration; whether, with a view to securing the much-needed amendment of the Midwives Act, he will consider the desirability of omitting the provisions to which so much objection is taken; and whether it is intended to introduce any measure on the subject during the present Session?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I understand that the President of the Council has a Bill ready for introduction, from which it is proposed to omit what is known as the annual renewal of midwives' registration. The provisions of the Bill dealing with the payment of medical men called in at the suggestion of midwives were included in the Bill in order to give to the doctors some security for their fees, and I should expect that the omission of the provisions would cause disappointment to the medical profession.
§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTIs it to be understood that the provisions on the latter point are the same as in the last Bill?
§ Mr. BURNSI am not in a position to state that definitely. I have received two or three deputations on this very point.