HC Deb 03 June 1943 vol 390 cc356-8
54. Sir Francis Fremantle

asked the Minister of Health, respectively, the male and female death rates for 1942 and their comparison with those of 1938?

Mr. E. Brown

The death rates for males and females in 1942 (civilians only) in England and Wales were 14.4 and 10.7 per i,000 population, and in 1938 they were 12.5 and 10.8 respectively. Direct comparison between 1938 and 1942 is vitiated by the exclusion in 1942 of young and medically selected persons in the Forces.

Sir F. Fremantle

Is the reduction not very largely due to the introduction and use of the new sulphonomide M. & B. 693 in infectious cases?

Mr. Brown

That is one element, but there are many other factors. These figures do show the extraordinary strength and character of the British people.

55. Sir F. Fremantle

asked the Minister of Health the child mortality in 1942 and its comparison with that of pre-war years?

Mr. Brown

The mortality rate for infants under one year of age in England and Wales in 1942 was 49 per 1,000 births. The corresponding rates for 1936, 1937 and 1938 were 59, 58 and 53, respectively. The death rate for children at ages one to five in England and Wales in 1942 was 3,424 per million population. The corresponding rates for 1936, 1937 and 1938 were 5,508, 5,121 and 4,600, respectively.

Sir F. Fremantle

Does that answer imply that there has been something like a reduction of one-half in about half-a-dozen years in the case of children under five?

Mr. Brown

The country will draw its own conclusions, but it is a most satisfactory statement.

Sir A. Knox

Is this due to the fact that so many doctors are abroad on active service?

Mr. Brown

That is a very pleasant jibe, but it does less than justice to the magnificent services rendered by the doctors.

56. Sir F. Fremantle

asked the Minister of Health the death rate in 1942, at ages under 15 years, from diphtheria and its comparison with that of previous years?

Mr. Brown

The death rate from diphtheria at ages under 15 in 1942 in England and Wales was 192 per million population. The corresponding death rates in 1939, 1940 and 1941 were 228, 266 and 280, respectively.

Mr. Sorensen

Is that due to an improvement in the British character?

Mr. Brown

Partly to that and partly to adopting modern devices and skilfully using them.

Sir F. Fremantle

Is it not due to the campaign for immunisation which we hope to extend very largely in the present six months?

Mr. Brown

That was one of the elements coming under my general phrase.