§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the numbers of leukaemias(a) observed and (b) expected in the 0 to 24 year age group in the postcode sector DG7.3—Castle Douglas—in the periods (i) 1968 to 1973 (ii) 1974 to 1978, (iii) 1979 to 1984, (iv) 1984 to 1989 and (v) 1990 to the present time, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the comparative incidences of leukaemia in Castle Douglas relative to the rest of Scotland.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 8 July 1992]: The table shows numbers of registrations of leukaemia in the 0 to 24 age group in postcode sector DG7.3, with expected numbers based on Scottish national rates. The figures shown for the period 1990 to 1991 are provisional.
Observed and expected 1numbers of registration of leukaemia (ICD9 204–208) in the 0.24 age group in postcode sector DG7.3, 1968–91. Period of registration Registrations Observed Expected 1968–73 2 0.26 1974–78 1 0.21 1979–84 1 0.20 1985–89 0 0.19 1990–91 0 0.04 1 Based on Scottish national rates standardised for age. Source: ISD Scheme SMR6.
The number of observed registrations of leukaemia in this age group in postcode sector DG7.3 falls within the range to which chance variations in the overall distribution of the disease gives rise.