HC Deb 20 July 1933 vol 280 cc1982-4
37. Sir FRANCIS FREMANTLE

asked the Minister of Health the numbers, respectively, of county councils, county borough councils, and other borough and district councils providing services under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918; and how many of such councils exercise the power to pay the midwife's fee in the case of necessitous mothers whose confinement takes place in their own homes?

Sir H. YOUNG

The numbers asked for in the first part of the question are, for England and Wales, 61 county councils, 83 county borough councils, and 289 other borough and district councils. As regards the last part of the question, the latest information available to my Department relates to the year 1932. At the end of that year 16 county councils, 43 county borough councils, and 46 other borough and district councils were exercising the power referred to.

Sir F. FREMANTLE

Is it not clear that the majority of local authorities are not exercising these most necessary and beneficent measures, and is it not a fact that the voluntary societies concerned have investigated this matter and have shown that it is largely due to the ignorance of these authorities of the fact that they have these powers, and will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that they do know, and exercise these necessary powers?

Sir H. YOUNG

I do not think that the deduction that the majority of local authorities are making inadequate use of these powers would be accurate. On the contrary, I think they show very substantial use. I can repeat to my hon. Friend the assurance that I have just given to the House, that it is the policy of the Ministry of Health and of His Majesty's Government constantly to press ahead with the development and exercise of the powers of the Maternity and Child Welfare Act.

Sir F. FREMANTLE

Yes, but when these powers are in existence and are not being used in certain cases because the local authorities do not know of these powers, will the right hon. Gentleman not tell these local authorities that they have these powers, and ask them to use them?

Mr. LAWSON

Would it be necessary to put these powers on to the local authorities and thus transfer the cost to the rates, if some of the unemployed did not lose their rights to contributory pensions?

Sir F. FREMANTLE

May I have an answer?

Mr. SPEAKER

The Minister has replied.