§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services why home births are no longer encouraged.
§ Mr. MoyleIn general it is safer for confinements to take place in hospitals where the full range of equipment and724W facilities to safeguard mothers and babies is readily available.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mothers are discharged from hospital after giving birth to a baby after (a) four days, (b) six days, (c) 10 days or (d) more than 10 days.
§ Mr. MoyleFor 1974, the latest year for which figures are available, the relevant information for England and Wales was as follows:
Length of stay in hospital Numbers of women (thousands) Percentage of all hospital deliveries Up to 4 days 230.9 38 5 to 6 days 112.9 19 7 to 10 days 229.8 38 11 days or more 28.8 5 TOTAL (all durations) 602.4 100