asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the British Ministry of Health has granted a special allowance of petrol to midwives to enable them to run small cars or auto-cycles with a view to having attendance on patients expedited, especially in rural areas; and whether he will be prepared to sanction the provision of a similar scheme in this country.

Since the beginning of petrol rationing registered practising midwives, whether engaged in rural practice or otherwise, have been given a special monthly allowance of petrol for private cars or auto-cycles registered in their name and used by them in the course of their professional duties.

I should like to state that an error appears to have been made in the office in addressing this question to the Minister for Industry and Commerce. What I wished to point out was that the British Ministry of Health made a certain cash allowance, not a petrol allowance, towards the purchase of cars for midwives. Could I now get a reply from the Minister for Local Government and Public Health as to whether a similar scheme will be adopted here?

Not at all.