To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make a statement on the role of general practitioner maternity units in (a) towns arid cities and (b) the rural areas;(2) what is his Department's advice to regional and district health authorities on the criteria to be adopted for maternity unit provisions in the rural areas.

Good practice in maternity services is described in three reports produced by the maternity services advisory committee. These reports have been commended to health authorities and offer advice across the full range of maternity services.