HC Deb 17 March 1938 vol 333 cc590-1
60. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give the comparative figures showing the maternal mortality rates in appropriate categories and infant death rates for expectant mothers receiving special food from the National Birthday Trust Fund and those not receiving special foods?

The Minister of Health (Sir Kingsley Wood)

As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Miss Ward

In view of the satisfactory results of the scheme, will the right hon. Gentleman consider expanding it so that these special articles of food may be made available to expectant mothers in their homes, and not merely at the centres?

Sir K. Wood

The scheme is at present in the experimental stage.

Particulars of Results of National Birthday Trust Fund Nutrition Scheme for Expectant Mothers from 1st January, 1935, to 30th June, 1937.
Cases Receiving Special Food.
Period. Total Number of Mothers receiving food. Puerperal Death Rate from Sepsis. Puerperal Death Rate from other causes. Total Puerperal Death Rate. Maternal Death Rate from associated causes. Infant Death Rate (including Stillbirths).
1935–1936 7,320 0.14 1.50 1.64 Not available Not available
1937 3,064 — 1.63 1.63 0.98 57
Total (1935, 1936 and 1937). 10,384 0.09 1.54 1.63 — —
Cases Not Receiving Special Food.
Period. Total Number of Mothers not receiving food. Puerperal Death Rate from Sepsis. Puerperal Death Rate from other causes. Total Puerperal Death Rate. Maternal Death Rate from associated causes. Infant Death Rate (including Stillbirths).
1935–1936 14,073 3.48 2.91 6.39 Not available Not available
1937 4,781 1.25 4.18 5.43 2.09 102
Total (1935, 1936 and 1937). 18,854 2.91 3.24 6.15 — —
NOTE.—All rates in the above table are calculated per 1,000 total births.
65. Mr. G. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths from childbirth and the number of deaths from causes arising out of childbirth for the year ending 31st December, 1937?

Sir K. Wood

I regret that the figures asked for are not as yet available, but I will inform the hon. Member when they will be published.