HC Deb 31 March 1949 vol 463 c1436
35. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in some hospitals husbands visiting their wives and newly born babies are informed that they can see the new child on one occasion only; and what arrangements can be made for fathers to see their new offspring more often.

Mr. Bevan

While I hope that all reasonable facilities will always be given, the arrangements at individual hospitals must be left to each hospital management committee and board of governors.

Mr. Janner

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in one hospital there was a refusal to allow a father to see his child, and that the reason given for that was that the nurse in the hospital knew much more about the progress of the child than did the father?

Mr. Bevan

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the case, I will have it inquired into, but I think hon. Members must rest upon the assumption that the hospital committees are at least as much concerned about this matter as we are ourselves.

Mrs. Mann

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that it is rather a shock to an infant to look upon its father, and does not he think that, in this modern age when the interest of the child is paramount, the child should be considered first?

Mr. Bevan

I am not certain that the infant is always able to establish the identity of its father.