§ Mr. Brookeasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the present acute deficiency of ante-natal and postnatal accommodation for unmarried mothers; and whether he has plans on an adequate scale for remedying this, either by financial assistance to voluntary organisations willing to establish hostels, or otherwise?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am aware of the need for accommodation of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend. I have made special arrangements to provide for certain classes of case transferred by the Government away from their own homes. Assistance to voluntary organisations can be given by welfare authorities, with whom I intend to communicate on this matter in the light of recommendations made by my advisory committee, to whom I referred this question for special consideration. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the circular when it is issued.