§ 56. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that in Scotland while the birth rate is increasing there is a serious shortage in the number of qualified midwives, and that this shortage is due to long hours and unsatisfactory working conditions, and is inimical to the health of mothers and children; and if he will take steps to make the financial and other conditions mare satisfactory so as to increase the number of midwives in Scotland.
§ Mr. MaclayMy information is that there is no serious shortage of midwives in Scotland, and I have no evidence to suggest that the health of mothers and children is being prejudiced by the present level of staffing of hospital and local authority maternity services.