§ Lords Amendment: No. 5, in page 3, line 20, leave out from "midwives" to end of line 22.
1354§ Mr. HodgsonI have a particular kite-rest in this amendment because it removes the amendment that I moved on Report earlier in the year. Once again, I find the arguments adduced in the other place not entirely convincing. There have been suggestions that this would cause a reduction in the majority of mid-wives on the midwifery committee because some midwives might be away on their professional duties. That is unconvincing. It was also suggested by Lord Briggs that the general public should not be involved. I find that unconvincing. There has been a suggestion that the Royal College of Midwives did not approve of this Bill prior to the passing of this amendment. That is also unconvincing.
A substantial minority of the profession are unhappy with the way in which their profession has carried the substance of the debate forward on this clause. They would be reassured if there was an opportunity for two members of the general public to participate in the operation of the midwifery committee. They have said many times that they are anxious because home confinements might be ruled out and that all confinements will take place in hospital.
It is this policy that a minority of the trained midwifery profession1 would like to see not pressed quite so hard. I hope that once again the Minister will see the force of this argument. The Royal College of Midwives has not carried all its members with it, and the result is that resistance to this amendment has been strongly urged upon me by many people outside.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Lords Amendments Nos. 6 to 8 agreed to.