§ 10. Mr. Attewellasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the high infant mortality rate over the last 10 years for the Urban District Council of Wigston, Leicestershire; that the infant mortality rate for the Wigston Urban District for 1948 was 51.3 per 1,000 live births, when the figures for Leicestershire were 32.2 and for England and Wales 34; and if he will take special steps to reduce this high loss of child life.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)This urban district has a population of 14,780. The infant mortality rate calculated per 1,000 live births will obviously be subject to great fluctuations when such small numbers are involved. I have no reason to believe that the county council's local arrangements for the care of mothers and infants are not generally satisfactory.