§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the supply of midwifery forceps to medical practitioners in Birmingham is so short of demand that orders placed since March, 1944, have not been met; and if he will take steps to increase the rate of supply 235W and repair of high quality hand-forged instruments as the delay constitutes a danger to the lives and health of expectant mothers and their babies.
§ Mr. WilmotI was not aware that long delays were occurring except in the case of special instruments. There is, however, an acute shortage of skilled labour for making hand-forged instruments, and we have for some time been working with the industry to increase supplies by new methods of manufacture. I am investigating the case to which the hon. Member has drawn my attention.