asked the Minister of Health the total number of maternity and child welfare authorities; and how many of these authorities exercise their powers under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918, to provide milk and food for mothers during the last three months of pregnancy and during lactation?

There are 422 maternity and child welfare authorities in England and Wales. The great majority of them exercise the powers referred to in the question, but the actual number is not available. In the circular addressed to local authorities on the 10th October on the subject of maternal mortality, I took the opportunity of stressing the importance of using these powers in appropriate cases.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider taking steps to ascertain the exact figures?

I will certainly consider the hon. Member's suggestion.