HC Deb 14 April 1969 vol 781 cc787-9
20. Mr. Brooks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many circulars dealing with family planning have been sent to hospitals in the past 25 years; and what analysis he has undertaken of their results.

Mr. Crossman

Circulars issued to local authorities in 1966 and 1967 were brought to the attention of hospital authorities, which were asked to co-operate with local health authorities in the introduction of a comprehensive service. The circulars did not call for reports from hospital authorities.

Mr. Brooks

Will not my right hon. Friend agree that in this respect there is great scope for the hospitals? Will he indicate whether fresh legislation is needed to give hospitals the same rôle as that now performed by local authorities, or does he envisage the work at present committed to local authorities being subsumed by the hospitals in the light of the forthcoming report on the tripartite structure?

Mr. Crossman

I do not think I would accept the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question at all. I have always assumed that local authorities were the right people to run this advisory service, and that what was done by the hospitals was only secondary, and done in relation to those who went to the hospitals. In any reorganised service, I take it that it would be not the hospitals but the services outside the hospitals that would still do the work.

Mr. Christopher Price

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us are very concerned about the lack of progress among local authorities in taking this job seriously so as to cater for all the women who need the service? What progress is being made?

Mr. Crossman

I share my hon. Friend's concern. It is very unfortunate that this new service was launched at a time of increasing financial stringency. Some local authorities seem much too inclined to regard the small sum they give to this work as being the first thing to dock when things are difficult, which is something I greatly deprecate.

Mrs. Renée Short

Would not my right hon. Friend point out to local authorities that it is much cheaper—if we must look at this question from the economic point of view—to spend a few hundred pounds on family planning services for all women, married or unmarried, in a local authority area than to spend the money needed after the baby has been born on the various services that the child and the mother may need? Does he not also agree that maternity hospitals are very productive places where this kind of advice could be given? Does he know how many maternity hospitals are giving family planning advice?

Mr. Crossman

I can see that the idea could be launched in the maternity hospitals. I rather agree with the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, but I should like to put it that I should like this country to be known primarily for its family planning and only secondarily for abortion.