§ 91. Mr. GAVAN DUFFYasked the Minister of Health if he has received a copy of the quarterly report, to the end of June, 1923, of the inspector of midwives to the Cumberland County Council; and if, having regard to the fact that this Report shows that one bona fide and two trained midwives have ceased to practice in Cleator, Cleator Moor, and Frizington, and that a bona fide midwife has died, he will press upon the maternity and child welfare committee of that county the urgency of appointing qualified midwives to serve that district, seeing that practically the whole of the industries throughout that area are idle, and that consequently expectant mothers have not the means to provide adequate nourishment or for professional attention during their confinement?
§ Lord E. PERCYMy right hon. Friend has received a copy of the report referred to. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 5th July on this subject. A reminder was sent to the county council on 9th July.
§ Mr. DUFFYIs the Noble Lord aware that the county medical officer of health of Cumberland, Dr. Morrison, stated in his annual report that infantile mortality in the urban district areas of Cumberland is 116 per 1,000, and if 101 per 1,000 infantile mortality rate is admittedly a murderous policy in Scotland, what is 116 per 1,000 infantile mortality in Cumberland?
§ Lord E. PERCYI am as anxious as is the hon. Member to put this matter right, but the responsibility lies primarily with the local authority.