§ 39. Mr. Bostonasked the Minister of Health what is his policy on the provision of new maternity units other than those incorporated into new or existing hospitals.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonExcept in special circumstances, all new maternity beds will be provided at new or redeveloped general hospitals.
§ Mr. BostonWill my right hon. Friend confirm that it is his policy, unlike that of the previous Government, to provide enough places so that not only women who need to have their babies in hospital but those who want to do so can do so? Will he accept that there will, therefore, have to be more maternity units in other places separately created?
§ Mr. RobinsonIt will be necessary to increase the maternity provision in the country, and a large number of schemes are in progress or planned. I remind my hon. Friend that the Cranbrook Committee recommended that general practitioner maternity beds should be within or close to consultant maternity hospitals or general hospitals with maternity departments.