§ Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the new Regulations governing the training of midwives have increased the financial burdens on Scottish maternity hospitals; whether the financial difficulties experienced by these hospitals have been considered by him; and whether he is now prepared to recommend to Parliament that grants should be given to Scottish maternity hospitals commensurate with those given to similar hospitals in England?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am aware that the receipts of the Scottish maternity hospitals have been diminished by a decrease in the amounts received in fees from pupil midwives. The grants referred to in the question are not, of course, grants to the hospitals as such, but are grants for the purpose of aiding students undergoing a particular course of training. I think that the diminution in entrants may be attributed to the economic consideration that the average earnings of a registered midwife in Scotland do not provide a living wage rather than to the Regulations of the Central Midwives Board (Scotland) which lengthened the period of training. I have, however, taken steps to have the position of the hospitals carefully and sympathetically considered, but I am not yet in a position to make any recommendation to Parliament.