HC Deb 20 February 1963 vol 672 cc423-4
10. Mrs. Cullen

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the present availability of maternity beds in Glasgow.

Mr. Brooman-White

At the end of September last there were 739 staffed maternity beds for Glasgow. My right hon. Friend expects that there will be about 900 beds by the end of this year.

Mrs. Cullen

Will the Minister bear in mind that this is a long-standing request? Will he assure us that he will speed up the necessary provision of these beds?

Mr. Brooman-White

Measured by the standards of the Montgomery Committee as to what is desirable for the percentage of births in hospital, the Glasgow standard should be about 880 beds and by the end of the year it will be 900.