asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he can state for each of the years 1929 to 1934, inclusive, the number of deaths in each registration area attributable to pregnancy and chidbirth; further, whether he is in a position to indicate if any special measures are in contemplation to lessen the mortality under this heading.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mortality Returns.
The work of tabulating the deaths attributable to pregnancy and childbirth in each of the 640 registration areas for each of the six years 1924-1934, inclusive, would absorb the services of the staff for a considerable period and would be entirely incommensurate with any use which could be made of the figures. Particulars of the numbers of deaths from puerperal sepsis and other puerperal conditions which comprise the deaths attributable to pregnancy and childbirth are published in the Annual Reports of the Registrar-General in respect of each county, urban and rural district and this information would probably be sufficient to meet the object aimed at by the Deputy.
As regards the measures taken or contemplated for lessening mortality due to pregnancy or childbirth, the following action has been taken or is in contemplation: (1) The provision of improved institutional accommodation for confinement and gynæcological cases; (2) the appointment of county medical officers of health who act as supervising officers over the midwifery system; (3) the extension of maternity and child welfare schemes.