Mr. Astorasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that mothers, sent to maternity hospitals outside London, are not provided with railway fares to enable them to return after the child is born; and whether, as most of these mothers must return to their homes or their work, he will make suitable arrangements?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe arrangements for the provision of emergency maternity homes were made at the outbreak of war as a part of the Government evacuation scheme. It has not been the policy to encourage the return to London of persons evacuated under that scheme and it would be inconsistent with that policy to provide for payment of return fares. But I will look at the matter in the light of my hon. Friend's Question.