DEBATE ON HEALTH

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 163, 19 July 1935, Page 3

DEBATE ON HEALTH

4, Lady Astor’s Views WELFRARE OF MOTHERS BIRTH CONTROL. ISSUE By Telegraph —Copyright—Press Assn. LONDON, July 18. A somewhat fierce argument developed in the House of Commons between Lady Astor and Labour members following the Minister of Health’s review of the work of his department. Lady Astor advocated birth control clinics, citing her experiences among the poor in support. Her speech was denounced by Labour supporters and the official reply was given that, in general, birth-control advice was not allowed at clinics. The Minister of Health, Sir Kingsley Wood, reviewing the work of his department, in the House of Commons, said that the creation of the scheme of national health insurance had been one of the most remarkable developments in public health in the last quarter of a century. The scheme had disbursed benefits to the value of £480,000,000 and had been copied by 12 other countries. Representatives of many countries came to study the working of the scheme. The provisions of the widows’ and old age pension scheme had been steadily expanding and now included 6,000,000 old age pensions and 600,000 widows’ pensions, supplemented by 270,000 additional allowances in respect of children and 15,000 orphans’ pensions.

No country in the world made such a provision for millions of people against some of the most serious disabilities of life.

During the four years to March 31, 1935, approximately one million houses had been built, and for the first six months of 1935 new houses for slum replacements were sanctioned at the rate of over 6000 a month in England and Wales. The unsolved problem of reducing maternal mortality was complex and would require patience, but special inquiries were proceeding which, it was hoped, would aid understanding and attention.

There had been a great awakening in the national conscience on the matter of health .particularly on housing affairs, and the nation itself was learning greater commonsense in health matters, including diet, the increased use of daylight, open air, leisure and recreation. Housing Programme. Opposition speakers criticised the Government’s housing programme as inadequate and alleged that many of the new houses were jerry-built. There was a scene when Lady Astor (Cons., Sutton) declared that malnutrition among children was not due to poverty but to not knowing the right kind of food. Amid Labour cries of dissent, Lady Astor said: I am talking about what I know. Mr. D. G. Logan (Lab. Scotland; Liverpool): So are we. Lady Astor: Yau are talking about what you think you know. She drew attention to maternal mortality, a proportion of which she alleged was due to illegal operations, which could be avoided by birth control. She said that a woman married a working man on a low wage; after three children, naturally, the woman did not want another, and she died in avoiding it. Mr. Logan: Hasn't she the right not to want another? Lady Astor: lam trying to give her a chance. I once did not believe in birth control clinics. When I saw some appalling things that are happening I changed my mind. She begged the House to face the need for proper instruction for mothers. Mr. Logan fiercely denounced Lady Astor’s speech, saying: This knowledge would be one of the curses of the age and is only fit for the gutter. It is not the poor but the wealthy who fear children. Lady Astor: I Mr. Logan in reply to an interruption, later said: “I have listened to you until I am fed up.” Mr. D. McKeag (Lib. Durham) con gratulated Lady Astor on her courageous speech. Mr. G. H. Shakespeare, in reply, said that the Ministry of Health refused to be drawn into the controversy. The policy of the Ministry was that it was wrong for a clinic to give birth control advice except where health was endangered.