§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the current weekly costs of providing maternity services at the Bowthorpe hospital, Wisbech; how many mothers have made use of its maternity services in each of the last eight weeks; how the cost per Bowthorpe maternity patient compares with average maternity costs in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe current weekly costs of providing maternity services at the Bowthorpe hospital are estimated at £4,700 for in-patient care and £1,300 for outpatient care. The number of mothers making use of inpatient maternity services was as follows:
Week beginning Number of-mothers 8 February 1982 3 15 February 1982 3 22 February 1982 5 1 March 1982 1 8 March 1982 5 15 March 1982 0 22 March 1982 3 29 March 1982 1 It is not possible to make a meaningful comparison between national costs and those of the Bowthorpe. I have written to the hon. Member about the future of the maternity unit.