HC Deb 14 May 1962 vol 659 c910
14. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Health what immediate improvements he intends to make in the maternity service in Greater London.

Miss Pitt

I would refer the hon. Lady to my reply to her on 13th November. In addition, about 100 further beds will be provided in the next few months.

Mrs. Butler

Is the hon. Lady aware that because of the shortage of beds in the Greater London area last year more than 3,000 mothers had to make use of the emergency hospital beds service, and that while mothers were trying to find places in hospitals a number of babies were born in ambulances and others in most unsatisfactory home conditions? Is the hon. Lady aware that tinkering with the problem will not end what has become a major scandal in the Greater London area and that it needs drastic action taken at once? One hundred beds will go nowhere to meet the shortage.

Miss Pitt

I am aware of the figures which the hon. Lady has quoted. In fact, London is exceptional. The greatest pressures are there. More people come to London. There is a greater floating population. More unmarried mothers come to London. There are more births in hospitals in London; in the L.C.C. area between 80 per cent. and 85 per cent. of the births take place in hospital, which is well above what was recommended by the Cranbrook Report. The immediate need is for 100 beds. That, taken with the better selection, will, we believe, relieve the position.