HC Deb 15 May 1950 vol 475 cc907-8

(1) Section five of the Midwives Act, 1902 (whereof the first two provisions, as amended by the Ministry of Health Act, 1919, and subsection (3) of section nine of the Midwives Act, 1936, provide for the payment to the Central Midwives Board by a woman presenting herself for examination or certificate of such fees, not exceeding one guinea in each case, as may be determined by the Board with the approval of the Minister), shall have effect with the substitution, for the words from the beginning to "paid to the Central Midwives Board," of the words "There shall be payable to the Central Midwives Board by a woman in respect of any examination for which she presents herself and in respect of the issue to her of a certificate such fees respectively as may be determined by the Board with the approval of the Minister." (2) Section thirteen of the Midwives (Scotland) Act, 1915 (whereof the first two provisions, as amended by subsection (3) of section eight of the Maternity Services (Scotland) Act, 1937, provide for the payment to the Central Midwives Board for Scotland by a woman presenting herself for examination or certificate of such fees, not exceeding one guinea. in each case, as may be determined by the Board with the approval of the Secretary of State), shall have effect with the substitution, for the words from the beginning to "paid to the Board," of the words "There shall be payable to the Board by a woman in respect of any examination for which she presents herself and in respect of the issue to her of a certificate such fees respectively as may be determined by the Board with the approval of the Secretary of State."—[Mr. Blenkinsop.]

Brought up, and read the First time.

Mr. Blenkinsop

I beg to move "That the Clause be read a Second time."

This Clause is merely to make a provision similar to that already made for nurses—to entitle the Central Midwives Board to vary the fees for examinations which are at present held at an upper limit of one guinea in each case. In view of the increased cost of the service, we think it right that the Central Midwives Board should have the power which has already been provided in an earlier Act in relation to nurses.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.