§ 5. Mr. Abseasked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the present perinatal mortality rates in Wales and in each local area health authority in Wales; how these rates compare in Oxfordshire and England; whether he is satisfied with the action taken by area health authorities in the Oppé report; and what action he is taking to reduce perinatal mortality rates.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Barry Jones)I will, with permission, circulate the statistical information in the Official Report. Perinatal mortality rates for 1977 in the Welsh health authority areas are all higher than those in Oxfordshire, which is exceptionally low. Half of them are lower than the rate for England.
Health authorities in Wales take seriously the problem of mortality of the newborn and have been taking appropriate action since the Oppé report was 5 commended to them. My Department is in continual contact with them about the provision of maternity services and child care. In addition, last year my right hon. and learned Friend, with the other health Ministers, published the booklet "Reducing the Risk" aimed at helping prevent infant mortality and handicap.
§ Mr. AbseIs it not chastening that a woman in some areas of South Wales and, I understand, in Clwyd would be twice as likely to endure the tragedy of losing her child than she would if she lived in Oxfordshire? How, in the circumstances, does the Minister justify what appears to be the case, namely, that guidelines have been given by the Welsh Office which suggest that in real terms there should be a reduction in the amount of expenditure on maternity services in Wales? Is it not time that we stopped using the old alibi of social deprivation to explain away our appalling infantile mortality rates and recognise that there is a real need for more research and, even more important, for the mobilisation of effort to end the present situation?
§ Mr. Barry JonesThere will be every mobilisation of effort. There is no complacency in the Department. My hon. Friend's statistics can show certain conclusions, perhaps, but not"twice as likely." Overall, the figures for Wales have improved considerably since 1973. However, we are studying the feasibility of an intensive care unit for Wales, possibly in the Cardiff area, and my right hon. and learned Friend is studying ways and means of more effective action to prevent the occurrence of these regrettable rates.
§ Following is the information:
| Area | Perinatal mortality rate 1977 |
| Clwyd | 15.6 |
| Dyfed | 16.3 |
| Gwent | 20.7 |
| Gwynedd | 17.4 |
| Mid-Glamorgan | 19.7 |
| Powys | 13.6 |
| South Glamorgan | 15.2 |
| West Glamorgan | 19.3 |
| Wales | 17.8 |