§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have died as a result of gas-induced carbon monoxide poisoning in each of the past 10 years.
§ Sir George YoungThe information is given in the following table:
Deaths from Gas-Induced Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, 1970–1979 England and Wales. Year Acc idental Poisoning✶ Suicide† Undeter mined‡ Total 1970 262 511 38 811 1971 182 346 27 555 1972 123 197 16 336 1973 93 143 9 245 1974 81 50 4 135 1975 64 23 7 94 1976 79 14 3 96 1977 75 8 5 88 1978 66 11 1 78 1979 114 9 5 128 In addition, there are some 30-60 deaths each year from carbon monoxide poisoning due to incomplete combustion of domestic fuels (coal, coke. wood, etc.) ✶ ICD E870-E872 (8th Revision), E867, E868.0, E868.1 (9th Revision) † ICD E951 ‡ ICD E981 In 1979 the 9th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) was introduced and figures for that year may not be strictly comparable with those for earlier years.
An initial investigation suggests that the rise in the number of deaths assigned to accidental poisoning in 1979 can not be wholly ascribed to the use of the 9th revision of ICD. A detailed investigation of coding procedure is being made and results will be sent to the hon. Member in due course.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that general practitioners are sufficiently aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning; what plans he has to introduce a publicity programme to warn of the symptoms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.