§ 9. Mrs. Beatrice Wrightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with the arrangements made for the care of expectant mothers in prisons; and whether the house mistress recently appointed to Holloway is qualified to deal with these cases.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonSpecial attention is paid to the health of expectant mothers in prison, and I am satisfied that they receive all necessary care and treatment both before and after their confinement. The purposes for which it has been decided to appoint a, House-mistress at Holloway Prison do not include such special care as a prisoner may need because she is an expectant mother. Such special care is provided by the medical and nursing staff, which includes three women doctors and a number of trained nurses and qualified midwives.
§ Mrs. WrightHas my right hon. Friend made a recent investigation as to the care these women are having, and has he up-to-date information?
§ Mr. MorrisonI think so, and I am exceedingly anxious that, as far as it is practicable, they should have as good treatment as they would get from the local authority if they were not in prison.
§ Mr. SorensenCould the right hon. Gentleman say how many expectant mothers on the average are in Holloway each week?
§ Mr. MorrisonNot without notice.