§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health if he contemplates any immediate legislative measures to ensure that the child-bearing mother shall receive efficient medical and institutional treatment, seeing that, as stated by the chief medical officer of the Ministry in the 1924 Annual Report, the child-bearing mother is not sharing equally with the rest of the population in the improved public health?
§ Sir K. WOODI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 20th May to his question on this subject.
§ Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Health whether in view of the heavy death rate among women during childbirth, due to conditions over which they have no control, he will take such action that will result in local authorities providing a greater measure of hospital accommodation for expectant mothers; and, in cases of necessity, will he consider making provision for payment of cash grants to the mother or to such associations as already provide assistance to mothers both during and after childbirth?
§ Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAINAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on the 20th May to the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) on this subject. As regards the second part I would point out that grants are already made from the Exchequer to local authorities and nursing associations which provide skilled assistance during childbirth, and that every woman who is the wife of a man insured under the National Health Insurance Act is entitled to receive a sum of £2 as maternity benefit on her confinement, and if she is herself insured, a further sum of £2. The whole question of the provision to be made for maternity in the case of insured women and the wives of insured men will doubtless receive the consideration of the Royal Commission on National Health Insurance, which is now sitting.