HC Deb 15 June 1982 vol 25 cc249-50W
13. Mr. Jim Marshall

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State on 11 May, Official Report, c. 229, whether, in view of the fact that the notification of birth form used by some district health authorities includes a question about the ethnic origin of a woman who has given birth, he will instruct local health authorities to discontinue the use of this form.

15. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State on 11 May, Official Report, c. 229, whether, in view of the fact that the notification of birth form used by some district health authorities includes a question about the ethnic origin of a woman who has given birth, he will instruct local health authorities to discontinue the use of this form.

34. Mr. Bidwell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State on 11 May, Official Report, c. 229, whether, in view of the fact that the notification of birth form used by some district health authorities includes a question about the ethnic origin of a woman who has given birth, he will instruct local health authorities to discontinue the use of this form.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

Particular ethnic groups may well have special health needs, notably in the field of maternity and child health; and where this is the case, authorities may feel they need information about ethnic origin in order to respond most appropriately to the health needs of the communities they serve. Whether they collect this information by means of the notification of births form is entirely a matter for local discretion.