§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of maternity beds in the City of Bristol, that a large number of cases come from outside, and that mothers are sent home a few days after confinement; and what steps are being taken to enable the local health committee to provide adequate accommodation for this purpose.
§ Miss PittMy right hon. and learned Friend is aware that there is some shortage of ante-natal beds in Bristol, but the rate of institutional confinement is high and he has no evidence to show that in general mothers are sent home too soon after confinement. The future scale of provision of maternity beds is a matter for the regional hospital board in consultation with the board of governors of the teaching hospital.