HC Deb 25 March 1986 vol 94 cc412-3W
Sir Hector Monro

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in which of the last 10 years the highest number of hypothermia deaths has been recorded in Scotland; in which month of the last 10 years the highest monthly figure has been recorded; and if he will give the respective figures.

Mr. Rifkind

I refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the questions by the hon. Member for Dundee East (Mr. Wilson) on 29 January 1986, at column 550, 110 February 1986, at columns 343–44, and 18 March 1986, at columns 138–42.

The highest number of deaths mentioning hypothermia occurred in 1979, when there were 259 deaths. The table shows the highest monthly figure in each of the last 10 years.

Deaths mentioning Hypothermia Month in which highest number of deaths occurred and Number of deaths in that month
Number
December 1976 56
January 1977 39
February 1978 68
January 1979 86
January 1980 44

Number
December 1981 85
January 1982 70
February 1983 38
January 1984 53
January 1985 65

Mr. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Dundee, East, 10 March, Official Report, column 374, he can now give provisional figures to show the number of deaths in Scotland in February with any mention of hypothermia on the death certificate.

Mr. John MacKay

The provisional figure for February 1986 is 27.