§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that the registrar of births and deaths in the London Borough of Newham has published his official report showing that the number of babies of immigrants is more than double that of the national average and that this is causing difficulties with regard to the hospital, post- and ante-natal clinics, and the general welfare services, both at the moment and for the future; and whether he will now have discussions with the local authority to see to what extent his Department can assist the council in overcoming these problems.
§ Mr. AlisonI understand that information published in the Press locally in Newham and derived from the Registrar-General's quarterly return for England90W and Wales for the quarter ending 30th September, 1969, showed that 29 per cent. of the live births in Newham were to mothers with a place of birth outside the United Kingdom compared with a national average percentage of 11.8 per cent. for England and Wales. The percentage of such births in Newham was similar to, or lower than, that of several other London boroughs, and I know of no special difficulties caused to the maternity or social services. Planning of future services will take account of relevant local factors.