§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many suicides there have been by(a) women and (b) women in rural areas in each year since 1979; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe exact information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information for the years 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1991 however are available and are shown in the table.
Number of female suicides and undetermined deaths1 (E950-E959, E980-E989 combined) in England and Wales and, in remoter, largely rural areas (normal area of residence) for the years 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991. England and Wales Rural areas 1979 2,335 207 1983 2,109 195 1985 1,859 195 1989 1,686 179 1991 1,585 153 1 Undetermined deaths (whether accidentally or purposely inflicted). One of the ways in which OPCS classifies areas is in terms of an urban/rural distinction. County districts are classified in the following groups.
Greater London:
- Inner London
- Outer London
Metropolitan Districts:
- Principal Cities
- Others
Non-Metropolitan:
- Cities
- Industrial
- With new towns
- Resort and seaside retirement
- Mixed urban rural
- Remoter largely rural
Further details are available in appendix 5 of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys publication "Key population and vital statistics" series VS no.17, PP1 no.13; a copy of which is in the Library.