§ Mr. Grovesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many areas the Maternity Services (Scotland) Act is now operative; why it is not operative throughout Scotland, and in view of the increase of maternal mortality, what steps are being, and are proposed to be, taken in order to reduce such mortality; what are the causes of such mortality; and what directions have been given to local authorities direct or through medical officers of health to meet the present situation?
Mr. JohnstonThe Maternity Services (Scotland) Act, 1937, is in operation in 40 out of 55 local authority areas. In the remaining 15 areas the introduction of 2267W the scheme has been delayed, in most cases because agreement with the local medical practitioners has not been obtained. In one of these fifteen areas, Glasgow, the corporation have met the position by special arrangements to provide midwife, doctor and specialist services under previously existing powers. The causes of maternal mortality were investigated by an expert committee whose report was published in 1935 (Report on Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Scotland). The medical officers of the Department of Health for Scotland maintain regular contact with local maternity services and medical officers of health in an attempt to ensure that everything possible is done on the lines of the recommendations in that report to safeguard the health and lives of mothers. In addition, the arrangements for supplying free and cheap milk to expectant mothers should make a valuable contribution towards their health and safety. The Scottish Committee of the British Medical Association is endeavouring to persuade doctors in several of the remaining dissident areas to accept service.