Fe 
MAJORITY REPORT. 
—— 
maternity benefit of the Insurance Scheme as ‘‘ a great oppor- 
tunity missed.”” ‘‘ The real purpose which Parliament had in 
view was undoubtedly to make childbirth safer alike to mother 
and child. This purpose cannot be fulfilled merely by a grant 
of money *’ (App. XXIII, 3; Q. 10,140-10,146). He considered 
that though the benefit is a real help and is properly utilised in 
many cases, its cash character and limited scope condemn it and 
its administration by Approved Societies as unsatisfactory 
(App. XXIII, 4-9). He held the view that the whole administra- 
tion of the maternity benefit should be transferred to the Public 
Health Authority and incorporated with the work of the 
Maternity and Child Welfare Centres (App. XXIII, 10-12; 
Q. 10,061-10,066, 10,091). 
108. The Incorporated Midwives’ Institute (App. LXXIV), 
while considering that ** maternity benefit is a useful institution 
and should be maintained,” are of opinion that *‘ it should not 
only mean a cash benefit but also, when needed, a treatment 
benefit directed specially to the condition of pregnancy, that sick 
pay for four weeks after confinement should be given, and that 
the benefit should include ante-natal treatment.”” The Scottish 
Midwives Association (App. LXXV) support these views and add 
that *° an additional maternity nursing benefit *’ should be made 
available under certain conditions. On the fundamental question 
of the transfer of maternity benefit to the Local Health Authority 
we were told that these bodies had not considered the matter 
(Q. 19,781), but in answer to Q. 19,790 a bias towards some 
form of unification appeared. 
109. Evidence from Approved Societies and their representa- 
tive bodies was generally to the effect that the fees of doctor or 
midwife tended to absorb the whole benefit and leave nothing 
over for comforts, extra nourishment and other requirements 
arising at the time of confinement and that these fees had been 
increased substantially as the larger benefits (increased for cost 
of living and by additional benefits) had become available (see 
e.g., Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, Q. 3490-3491, 3529 ; Indepen- 
dent Order of Rechabites, App. VIII, 6, Q. 6110-6111; Scottish 
Co-operative Friendly Society, App. LXXVIII, 2, Q. 20,326- 
20,327; National Federation of Rural Approved Societies, App. 
XXIX, 14). Other witnesses advocated a proposal that the fees 
for doctor or midwife should be made a statutory charge on the 
general medical fund so as to prevent this absorption of the 
whole benefit (see Association of Approved Societies, App. XLV, 
11-12; Scottish Co-operative Friendly Society, App. LXXVIII, 
2, Q. 20,328-20,330). The Standing Committee of Scottish 
Insured Women recommend that definite provision should be 
made for the payment of sickness benefit during the four weeks 
prior to confinement (App. XLVI, 6). 
110. The National Association of Trade Union Approved 
Societies recommend that medical benefit should include treat-