79. Mr. E. HARVEYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that nursing mothers and expectant mothers who are in prison in many cases receive no extra food ration; and whether, as the present ration provides a bare minimum for the health of one person, steps will be taken to ensure that pregnant women and nursing mothers receive in all cases an additional food ration without waiting for the prison doctor to order it on medical grounds?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Brace)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on the 17th October. Such cases are always under the special 2670 observation and care of the medical officer and there is no danger of their not having suitable nourishment.
Mr. HARVEYWill the right hon. Gentleman not answer the first part of the question? Is it not a fact that there are cases in which no extra allowance is given, and would it not be a humane thing in all cases to provide an extra allowance?
Mr. HARVEYHow can it be right that nursing mothers and expectant mothers should not have an extra allowance?
§ Mr. BRACEI hope that my hon. Friend does not assume that I admit that they do not receive it. It is in the hands of the medical staff.
Mr. HARVEYI have asked my right hon. Friend whether there are not cases in which they do not receive the extra allowance, and he has not given an answer to that.
§ Mr. BRACEI have no knowledge of any such cases. If my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any such cases I will inquire into them.