HC Deb 10 December 1936 vol 318 c2156
31. Mr. LUNN

asked the Minister of Health what action, in addition to the Midwives Act, is being undertaken by his Department to reduce the large percentage of maternal mortality in the country?

Sir K. WOOD

I would refer the hon. Member to the annual report for 1935 of the Chief Medical Officer of my Department, recently published, which contains, in the section relating to maternity and child welfare, a summary of the action taken by my Department both by way of investigation into this problem and by way of administrative action for the improvement of maternity services. Further measures it may be desirable to take will be reviewed when I have before me the report, now in course of preparation, of the special investigations recently made into maternal mortality in various parts of the country.

Mr. LUNN

Will copies of that document be available for Members of this House?

Sir K. WOOD

Yes, Sir; I shall make them available.

Mr. THURTLE

Will the Minister take steps to impress upon local authorities the desirability of establishing, wherever possible, gynaecological clinics in order to reduce the rate of maternal mortality?

Sir K. WOOD

I will send the hon. Member a circular which has been issued in relation to that matter.

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