§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a large number of certified maternity nurses attending cases frequently do not receive their pay; and whether he will consider some arrangement which will better ensure that the midwife, who is indispensable, is at all events paid out of maternity benefit?
Sir H. YOUNGCases have come to my notice in which midwives have complained of difficulty in obtaining payment of their fees. The selection of a midwife and the amount and payment of her fees are, however, matters of private contract between the midwife and the person engaging her services. Where the confinement is that of a woman entitled to maternity benefit I have every reason to believe that the payment of the midwife's fee is ordinarily regarded as the first charge upon that benefit, and I do not2026W think that the introduction of amending legislation to protect the interests of the midwife in this respect would be justifiable.