§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on trends in infant mortality and perinatal mortality rates; and if he will make a statement. [33167]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesInfant and perinatal mortality rates for years from 1970 to 1995, provided by the Office for National Statistics, are shown in the following table:
Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) Perinatal mortality rate (per 1,000 total births) 1970 18.7 25.5 1975 14.5 19.7 1980 11.4 12.8 1985 9.8 10.2 1990 6.9 7.4 1991 6.6 7.9 1992 6.0 7.0 1993 5.6 17.1{*B) 28.4{*B} 1994 6.3 9.3 1995 provisional 5.8 7.9 1 Old definition. 2 New definition. The legal definition of a still birth was altered on 1 October 1992 to include babies born dead between 24 and 27 completed weeks' gestation. Perinatal mortality rates up to 1993 are shown in the table on the old definition—28 or more weeks' completed gestation—and from 1993 on the new definition—24 or more weeks' completed gestation.