§ Mr. BLACKasked the Minister of Health whether, in the interest of the preservation of the lives of mothers and new-born babies, he will make it a statutory obligation upon county councils to provide a sufficient service of subsidised midwives to cover the necessities of the whole of the rural areas of Great Britain?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYI could not undertake to introduce legislation for this purpose at the present time. The large majority of county councils are already exercising their present powers by aiding1278W the provision of midwives in rural areas, and I am willing to consider any proposals for additional assistance in this direction. I propose shortly to issue a circular calling attention to the necessity for an efficient midwifery service in every area.
§ Sir B. CHADWICKasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the action of a member of the Central Midwives Board, who held a private investigation into certain charges against a midwife, although a prima facie case of negligence on the part of the midwife had been found by the local supervising authority and the case was awaiting a hearing by the Board and, if so whether he will inquire into the matter?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThe information in the question is not sufficient to enable me to identify the case to which the hon. Member refers, but if he will furnish me with further particulars I will have inquiries made.