HC Deb 21 March 1939 vol 345 cc1096-8
13. Mr. Henderson Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can account for the high rate of infantile mortality in Scotland, as compared with England; and whether, in order to effect some immediate diminution of these deaths, he will summon a special conference of local authorities to consider measures for more extensive health and medical services for the benefit of mothers and young children?

16. Mr. Kennedy

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the high rate of infantile mortality in Scotland, and that this high death-rate is due to under nourishment, and lack of health and medical service; and whether any action will be taken by the Government or the local authorities to deal with this problem?

Mr. Colville

The Scottish infantile mortality rate for 1938, while higher than the English rate, is the lowest on record, showing a substantial decrease on previous years. Local authorities have for many years had wide powers to provide health and medical services for expectant and nursing mothers and young children. Last year I arranged conferences with the authorities to encourage greater interest in the care of young infants and preschool children. Within the next few months I expect that the authorities' schemes under the Maternity Services (Scotland) Act, 1937, will be in full operation, and I hope that the complete domiciliary service thus provided will result in a further reduction of the infant mortality rate.

Mr. Stewart

Is not the infantile mortality rate in Scotland still 60 per cent. higher than in England; and is not that a serious condemnation of our present system?

Mr. Colville

There has been a remarkable improvement this year in the Scottish infantile mortality rate. It is now lower than that of several towns in England, although the average rate is higher. I hope that there will be a further improvement very soon.

Mr. Kennedy

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of a recently expressed opinion of education authorities in Scotland which attributes this high rate to lack of physical nourishment; and in view of that, are not the Government going to take action?

Mr. Colville

There is no direct evidence to suggest that that is the real cause, and I would refer to the scheme launched this month by the Scottish Marketing Board to enable local authorities to obtain milk at a cheap rate.

Mr. J. Morgan

Will the Secretary of State take note of an answer given by the Secretary of State for War that undernourished recruits are given a pint of milk a day?

Mr. Colville

The scheme I have mentioned is to enable mothers and children to get more milk.

Mr. Westwood

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that schemes under the Child Welfare and Maternity Act are being held up because of the attitude of the medical profession in many parts of Scotland? What action is he prepared to take to reduce infantile mortality?

Mr. Colville

I am aware that they have been held up for various reasons, but I hope they will soon be in operation. I am doing the best I can to get over the difficulty to which the hon. Member refers.

Mr. McGovern

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that because of the lack of decent housing accommodation more children are being done to death in Scotland than are being done to death by brutal methods in dictator countries, and will he see that the Government and local authorities speed up action in this matter to the utmost?

Mr. Colville

I agree that housing is an important part of this matter.