§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to hold an inquiry into the reasons for the acute shortage of midwives in the South Thames area; and if he will make a statement. [28262]
§ Mr. MaloneNone. This is a matter for local employers who since 1992 have been responsible for planning and training the number of midwives they need. The Inner London Education Consortium has increased the number of commissions for registered midwifery training by 35 per cent.