Mrs. Adamsonasked the Minister of Health whether he will give the number of fully-qualified midwives in England and Wales; and the number now engaged on maternity work?
§ Mr. ElliotThe number of midwives on the Midwives Roll, who are entitled to practise as midwives in England and Wales, is 63,275. The number of mid-wives returned by local supervising authorities as practising in England and Wales in 1938 was 16,761. Figures are not available of the number practising at the present date.
Mrs. Adamsonasked the Minister of Health whether he will give the total number of women who have surrendered their certificates under paragraph 51 of the Midwives Act, 1936; and the numbers on account of age, inefficiency, and lack of qualifications, respectively?
§ Mr. ElliotThe number of midwives who have surrendered their certificates under Sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 5 of the Midwives Act, 1936, and whose certificates have been cancelled by the Central Midwives Board, is 2,780. Separate figures are not available of the number of certificates surrendered under Sub-section (2) which relates to compulsory surrender where a midwife is incapable, by reason of age or infirmity of mind or body, of efficiently performing her duties as a midwife.