§ 57. Mr. WEBBasked the Minister of Health the total number of local health authorities which might take action under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918, and also the approximate number of such authorities, distinguishing between county boroughs, county councils, urban districts, and rural districts, that have submitted for his sanction under that Act arrangements for provision for expectant and nursing mothers and children under five years not in attendance at school?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the right hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ There are 1,856 local health authorities (including county councils) in England and Wales which are empowered to take action, with the sanction of my Department, under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918. Provision has been made for maternity and child welfare in every sanitary district in the country, either by the county council or the local sanitary authority. The authorities at present making provision are 60 county councils, 83 county borough councils, 150 borough councils, 135 urban district councils, and 18 rural district councils.
§ 63. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Association of Infant Welfare and Maternity Centres, representing 1,200 local centres, has passed a resolution protesting against the proposals for reform in local government with respect to the substitution of block grants in support of maternity and child-welfare service: and whether the views of this association will be taken into consideration before the matter is brought before the House?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the 1078 affirmative. The proposals of the Government in this matter are already before the House, and should, I think, completely dispel any fears lest the maternity and child welfare service should suffer by the changes foreshadowed.