§ 9. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Minister of Health whether, having regard to the importance to the community of an efficient service of district nurse mid-wives, particularly in rural areas, and of the housing shortage, he will issue instructions to local authorities that, where no suitable house already exists, a house for the use of the district nurse midwife should be built in an area from which she can most conveniently carry out her duties.
§ Mr. J. EdwardsLocal housing authorities have already been asked in a circular dated 8th May, 1946, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy, to make a special effort to assist midwives and district nurses to obtain suitable accommodation.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs it realised by the Department that this is a matter of immense importance to rural districts, almost equal to the provision of water supplies and sanitation?
§ Mr. EdwardsIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read the Circular which I 1378 am sending him, he will see that as far back as 8th May, 1946, we realised the importance of this point.