asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to alleviate the situation in relation to the provision of maternity facilities in Slough.

The provision of maternity services in Slough is a matter for the Berkshire area health authority and the Oxford regional health authority. The area health authority reports some improvement in midwifery and nurse staffing levels during the past 18 months. Difficulties remain, however, in relation to night staff and these are preventing the opening of five additional obstetric beds at Heather wood hospital. The authority is persisting in its attempts to recruit trained staff and pupil midwives.