59. Countess of IVEAGHasked the Postmaster-General whether, in his scheme for extending the telephone system, he will consider giving special facilities to midwives, in view of the fact that many of them are unable to afford the telephone at trade rates and that a certain number of maternal deaths are due to failure to secure prompt attention?
§ Mr. ATTLEEThe residential rate already applies in any case where nursing is not carried on at the house and where the entry in the telephone directory makes no explicit reference to the 1716 subscriber's profession. I regret that I am unable to make any further concession.
Countess of IVEAGHIn view of the fact that this is a matter of very great importance with regard to questions of maternal deaths, cannot the hon. Member see his way to consider the special position of country midwives?
§ Mr. ATTLEEI recognise the importance of the question put by the Noble Lady, but there are a very large number of applications of a similar sort, and it is extraordinarily difficult to draw the line between them. I would rather say that the question of assisting mid-wives in this connection is more a matter for the local authorities concerned with health than the Post Office.