§ 12. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of midwives employed under the 1937 Maternity Services Act directly by local authorities, through voluntary organisations, and by arrangements with those in private practice, respectively; and for 1937 the percentage of births in Scotland attended by midwives, and the percentage in which medical assistance was required by the midwife.
§ Mr. ColvilleNo midwives are as yet engaged in service under the Maternity Services (Scotland) Act, 1937. Of the total births notified in Scotland during 1937 the percentage attended by private midwives was approximately 24. Medical assistance was required by midwives in approximately 8 per cent. of the total births, equivalent to 33 per cent. of the births attended by midwives.
§ Mr. MathersIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the development of these services up to the present time?
§ Mr. ColvilleI want to see more rapid improvement, and I hope that the formulation of the arrangements under the Act, to which I have referred, will shortly bring about that improvement.
§ Mr. WestwoodCan the right hon. Gentleman say who are the real obstacles to the acceptance of the schemes which are being prepared by the local authorities under the Midwives Act?
§ Mr. ColvilleI would rather not say.
§ Mr. WestwoodIs it the medical profession?
§ Mr. ColvilleThere have been certain difficulties, but I am hopeful that these will be overcome, and I am anxious to 722 press on in order to get the improvement to which the hon. Gentleman refers.