§ 82. Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Labour how many persons, men, women, and boys, were registered on 31st January at the Hackney, Poplar, Limehouse, and Stratford Employment Exchanges; and how many were being paid unemployment benefit?
§ Mr. BETTERTONAs the reply includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it possible to give the totals?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI have not the final totals added up, but I can give them separately. Hackney, number on register, 6,390; claims admitted or under consideration, 5,457; Poplar, number on register, 6,187; claims under consideration or admitted, 4,958. Stepney, total on register, 8,750; claims admitted or under consideration, 7,438; the figures for Stratford are, respectively, 4,520 and 3.343.
§ Following is the statement:
§ that pupil midwives at the two hospitals of the Birmingham Guardians shall cease to take their theoretical instruction within those hospitals; that those hospitals have highly qualified medical officers with ample experience in the 535 training of midwives, and are equipped with every modern facility; that the guardians of the Birmingham Union have expressed opposition to the proposed change, involving as it does needless expenditure of public money and unnecessary expense to those receiving instruction; and if he will recommend to the Central Midwives Board the propriety of withdrawing their direction pending the report of the departmental committee which has been appointed to consider the whole system of the training of midwives?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware generally of the position as stated in the first three parts of the question. This is, however, a matter in which I have no authority to interfere with the discretion of the Central Midwives Board, and I have accordingly not taken the action suggested in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. HANNONCan my right hon. Friend think out any means whereby he can prevent such autocratic action being taken by this board?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINA departmental committee is considering this matter and a question of this kind will, I think, come within the terms of reference.
§ 35. Mr. HANNONasked the Minister of Health whether he has given consideration to the fact that while the general control of the functions of Poor Law guardians is under the direction of his Department there is nevertheless no appeal from the decision of the Central Midwives Board; and whether he will take steps to make the regulations issued by that board subject to his examination and approval?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThis matter comes within the purview of the departmental committee appointed to consider the working of the Midwives Acts, and I must await the receipt of its report.
§ 48. Sir PHILIP RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Central Midwives Board has instructed the Kingston-on-Thames Board of Guardians that pupil midwives are not to receive their lectures from the medical superintendent of the Kingston and District Hospital, as for many years past, but that other 536 arrangements must be made; is he aware that this involves pupil midwives in attendance for lectures in London at great expense in fees and travelling expenses and in serious loss of time; and will he direct the Central Midwives Board to withdraw their instruction so that the guardians may continue on the old lines, which resulted in the training of a large number of nurses and in satisfactory examination results?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware generally of the facts stated in the first two parts of the question. As regards the last part, I have no authority to give any such direction, but I understand that the general question involved will receive consideration by the Departmental Committee appointed to consider the working of the Midwives Acts.