HC Deb 17 February 1978 vol 944 c416W
Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that, when a mother is unwilling to have her confinement in hospital, the midwifery service is always able to include the attendance of a midwife at the home confinement.

Mr. Ennals

If a woman chooses to be delivered at home, despite the arguments against it, health authorities should ensure that the services necessary to make home delivery as safe as possible are provided. I recognise, however, that some areas are experiencing difficulties in maintaining the necessary support and I will shortly be consulting authorities and the professional bodies most closely concerned to see how these problems may be overcome.