§ 42. Mr. G. GRIFFITHSasked the Minister of Health the numbers of deaths from and arising out of childbirth for the year ending 31st December, 1934?
Sir H. YOUNGDeaths registered in England and Wales in the calendar year 1934 included 2,747 classified to pregnancy and childbearing and 748 not so classified but returned as associated with those conditions, amounting in all to 3,495. The figures are provisional.
§ Mr. PIKEIs my right hon. Friend aware that many of these deaths are due to the fact that there is a considerable lack of maternity services throughout the whole of the industrial areas?
§ Sir F. FREMANTLEHas my right hon. Friend had his attention drawn to the experiment in Rochdale where, as a result of intensive propaganda of existing organisations, they were able in the course of three years to reduce maternal mortality to about one-third of what it was previously?
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSIs it not a fact that there were 51 more deaths than the year previous, and that the percentage is going up?
Viscountess ASTORIs it not true that people dare not face up to a great many of the causes of maternal mortality even in the House of Commons, and that until we do face up to some of these causes, such as disease and the lack of birth control centres, we shall never get down the death-rate?
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSAnd look after the feeding of the people?
Sir H. YOUNGIt has been found to be entirely the case, after investigation, that the causes of maternal mortality are many and varied. It requires most careful investigation into particular cases, and it cannot be ascribed to any single or general cause.
§ Mr. PIKEIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that these services are provided in industrial centres?