Miss Rathboneasked the Minister of Health whether he has taken or will take steps to ensure that all the schemes submitted by local authorities in connection with the Midwives Act, 1936, shall, before being finally adopted, provide for the inclusion of a reasonable number of women members, whether elected or co-opted, on the committee or other body entrusted with the detailed administration of the Act?
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to secure that an adequate service of certified midwives shall be available in their areas. It is anticipated that the majority of these authorities will entrust the administration 1431W of this service to their Maternity and Child Welfare Committee, and as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, there is a statutory requirement that that Committee shall contain at least two women members.