§ 110. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the number, location, management and staffing of hospitals in Scotland which deal with 136W maternity cases; how many expectant mothers have availed themselves of them during each of the last five years, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the success and progress of this service in Scotland.
§ Mr. J. StuartThe number of hospitals in Scotland with beds set aside for maternity cases is 100, the number of maternity beds being 2,862. The detailed statement for which the hon. and learned Member asks will take a little time to prepare, but I will send it to him shortly. It is not possible to review the maternity service within the scope of an answer, but the House may like to know that over 60 per cent. of the expectant mothers in Scotland now have their babies in hospitals and other institutions, and that the maternal mortality rate is now just over 1 per 1,000.