Infant Mortality

HC Deb 08 April 1964 vol 692 cc214-5W

75. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of state for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce the infant mortality rates in Scotland.

Mr. Noble

The rate is being steadily reduced and last year it was the lowest ever in Scotland according to the Registrar General's preliminary figures. It is highest in the industrial areas of the west of Scotland, and Glasgow Corporation are conducting, with the assistance of my officers, a special analysis of the circumstances attending every birth in Glasgow. I hope to have the first year's results from this analysis soon. Much is also being done to reduce infant mortality by health education and improvement of environmental conditions in the urban areas.