Mr. Temple Morrisasked the Minister of Health whether, taking the different boroughs and counties in Wales, the Midwives Act of 1936 is fully operative in each of them; and whether any material improvement in the records of maternal mortality is being noticed?
§ Mr. ElliotThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As to the second part, this is the first full year during which the service set up by the Midwives Act has been in operation, but my hon. and learned Friend will be aware that the maternal mortality rate for Wales in 1937 showed a welcome improvement over that in 1936, and it is to be hoped that the new service will contribute to the maintenance of that improvement.