§ Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Health the number of mothers who obtained the assistance of a doctor or trained midwife in the borough of Southwark in their confinements from the guardians or local authorities in the years 1923 and 1924; the number of expectant and nursing mothers to whom the above bodies gave milk or other suitable food in the same years, and what quantities were given in each case; the number of cases in which applications were wholly or partially refused; if there are any women relieving officers and, if so, how many, in this borough to receive applications from mothers and expectant mothers?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs regards the first part of the question, I am in-1892W formed that the guardians dealt with 167 confinements at their Newington institution and 14 at their Southwark hospital in 1923. In 1924 the figures were 150 and 18, respectively. The borough council do not provide the assistance of doctors or midwives for confinements, but the London County Council received notice that the aid of doctors was sought by midwives under Section 14 of the Midwives Act, 1918, in 363 cases in Southwark during 1923, and in 398 cases during 1924. As regards the second part, I am informed that the guardians have no separate statistics or records available to show the number of expectant and nursing mothers who received outdoor relief, or whose applications were otherwise dealt with, in the years mentioned. The borough council supplied milk or other food in 984 cases during 1893W 1923, and in 961 cases during 1924. The quantities supplied varied according to necessity, the minimum being one pint of milk per day or a dinner each day. Applications were refused in three cases during 1923 and in two cases during 1924, the ground for refusal being that the income of the family was in excess of that laid down in the council's scale for necessitous persons. There is one woman general relieving officer in Southwark, who is principally concerned with the parents of chargeable children. All applications for relief are in the first instance made to the relieving officers in the several districts.
§ Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to consider the advisability of making provision under the National Health Insurance Act so that general practitioners attending cases of childbirth may have consultation with, or assistance from, a brother practitioner when necessity arises, in order that every endeavour may be made for the safety of both the mother and child?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINUnder the existing Acts attendance at confinements is not included within the scope of medical benefit. The question of providing a maternity service under the National Insurance Acts has been brought to the notice of the Royal Commission, and pending their Report I am not prepared to take any steps in the direction suggested by the hon. Member.