§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ascertain why St. Helens and Knowsley has the ninth highest infant mortality rate in England and Wales at 15.7 deaths per 1,000 live births; and what steps he is taking to ensure more live births.
§ Sir George YoungIncidence of infant mortality in St. Helens and Knowsley was relatively high in 1979 but has been below the national average in other years, and provisional figures for 1980 indicate a rate close to the national average. The regional health authority and area health authority have taken active steps to identify changes in services likely to lead to reduction in perinatal mortality, and to make appropriate improvements.