§ 18. Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage reduction there has been in infant mortality rates in Wales in each of the last four five-year periods; and what information he has on comparable figures in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) West Germany, (d) France and (e) Sweden.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonI welcome the evidence in the following figures that Wales has shared in the very substantial reduction in infant mortality in western Europe.
The percentage reduction in infant mortality rates, ie deaths under 1 year per 1,000 live births is as follows: 1960 to 1965 1965 to 1970 1970 to 1975 1975 to 1980 * 1980 to 1984 Wales 19.8 7.9 22.5 21.4 22.8 England 12.5 3.7 13.7 23.6 21.7 Scotland 12.5 15.2 12.2 29.7 14.9 West Germany 29.3 1.3 16.5 36.0 †18.3 France 20.1 16.9 24.2 27.5 ‡6.0 Sweden 19.9 17.3 24.5 16.9 7.2 * Information for 1985 not yet available.
† Information for 1984 not yet available.
‡ Information for 1983 and 1984 not yet available.