§ Helen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the difference in morbidity rates between mothers who have given birth in midwife-led maternity units and those who have given birth in other types of maternity units; and if he will make a statement. [10014]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 29 October 2001]: I apologise to my hon. Friend for the delay in responding to this question. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
The Department has not commissioned any such research.
The Maternity and Neonatal Workforce Group is considering different models of care, including midwife-led units, in order to inform the maternity services section of the Children's National Service Framework.