§ 38. Mr. P. Thorneycroftasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many domiciliary confinements in the Glasgow area during 1949 were attended by midwives only; and in how many of such cases gas and air analgesia was administered for the purpose of relieving pain.
Mr. McNeilIn Glasgow 4.690 domiciliary confinements were attended by 147W midwives alone during 1949, and in none of these was gas and air analgesia administered.
§ 39. Mr. P. Thorneycroftasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many gas and air machines were available in Glasgow on 31st December, 1949; and how many of such machines were on order at that date.
Mr. McNeilNone for domiciliary midwives was available or on order at 31st December, 1949: since then six machines have become available and 24 more are on order.
§ 40. Mr. P. Thorneycroftasked the Secretary of State for Scotland. why, during the year 1949, no woman confined in her own home and attended only by a midwife received gas and air analgesia in Berwick, East Lothian, Kincardine, Kirkcudbright, Midlothian, Orkney, Peebles, Roxburgh, West Lothian, Zetland. Clydebank, Coatbridge, Dunfermline, Falkirk, Glasgow, Hamilton, Kirkcaldy and Rutherglen; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
Mr. McNeilThe reason in each area was either that the necessary arrangements for the training of the midwives were not far enough advanced, or that gas and air machines were not available. I have asked the local health authorities in all these areas specially to review the position as quickly as possible.