§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many qualified midwives there were engaged in the National Health Service in 1973; how many were men and women, respectively; if she will give the numbers who gave up their employment during that year; and if she will seek to amend the Midwives Act 1951 to encourage members of both sexes to enter the profession.
§ Dr. Owen15,173 in whole-time equivalent terms at 30th September 1973; all were women; information is not available about the number who gave up their employment. The question of male midwifery is being considered in the context of proposals for dealing with sex discrimination generally.