§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health the number of mothers who lost their lives from causes due to childbearing in England and Wales during 1923 and 1924, and the ratio of such deaths to the total births during the year?
1951W
§ Sir K. WOODThe following statement gives the number of deaths from these
— 1923. 1924. Number. Rate per 1,000 births registered. Number. Rate per 1,000 birghts registered. Deaths of women classed to pregnancy and childbearing. 2,892 3.81 2,847 3.90 Deaths of women classed to pregnancy and childbearing but returned as associated therewith. 764 1.01 851 1.17 Total … … … 3,656 4.82 3,698 5.07 The number of births in England and Wales was 758,131 in 1923, and 729,933 in 1924.
§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health what improvement, if any, is manifest respecting the maternal mortality in rural, textile, and coal-mining areas; and whether it is the custom for all medical officers of health to investigate all maternal deaths due to childbirth, and all cases of puerperal fever whether fatal or not?
§ Sir K. WOODOn present information my right hon. Friend is unable to say that there has as yet been any general improvement in the maternal mortality rate in these areas, but the figures for 1925 are not yet available. As regards the second part of the question, the Circular issued by my right hon. Friend's Department in June, 1924, on the subject of maternal mortality impressed upon local authorities conducting maternity and child welfare schemes the desirability of competent medical investigation into all maternal deaths and all cases of puerperal fever. The extent to which this practice is adopted varies in different areas.