ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES
The powers of County Councils[C] and Sanitary Authorities—i.e., County Borough and Borough Councils, Urban and Rural District Councils—for maternity and infancy work are derived from the following Acts:
1. Public Health Acts, 1875–1907.
2. Midwives Act, 1902.
3. Notification of Births Acts, 1907–1915.[C]
4. The Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915. (This Act will not come into force till after the war.)
The following Maternity and Infancy work (with the exception of the supervision of midwives) may be carried out by special Maternity Sub-Committees (which must include women) of the above authorities:—
Notification of Births.[C]
Every birth has to be notified in every area to the Medical Officer of Health for that area by the father of the child or the medical practitioner or midwife within thirty-six hours of the birth.
Women Sanitary Inspectors and Health Visitors.
Properly trained and qualified women may be appointed to visit the homes and give advice on the care of mothers and infants.