§ 42. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present maternity bed provision in Glasgow; how this compares with five years ago; and what provision is being made for future requirements.
§ Mr. Millan770 beds. On 31st December, 1963, 765 beds were available for Glasgow mothers; since then 136 new beds have been provided, replacing older accommodation. About 90 per cent. of Glasgow births are now in hospital, and estimates of future needs suggest that the main effort should continue to be on the provision of replacement beds. A new 110-bed unit to be opened at the Southern General Hospital later this year includes 63 replacement beds.
§ Mr. HannanMay I congratulate my hon. Friend on the magnificent achievement in this field as in many others since the advent of this Administration? Can he now give an assurance that at long last the qualifications in the Montgomery Report are being met in respect of Glasgow?
§ Mr. MillanThey are more than being met. The Montgomery Committee recommended that there should be 75 per cent. of confinements in hospitals; and in Glasgow there are about 90 per cent. and in Scotland as a whole about 92 per cent. confinements in hospitals.