§ Valerie DaveyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many school-aged children died in drowning accidents in the year 1996–97; and what percentage of those children were unable to swim. [24391]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Tim Holt to Ms Valerie Davey dated 22 January 1998:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to answer your question on the number of school-aged children who drowned in the year 1996–97.Information for school-aged children's deaths from accidental drowning and submersion in England and Wales for the calender year 1996 is shown in the attached table. There is no information recorded showing whether these children were able to swim.Information for 1997 is not available.
Deaths from accidental drwoning and submersion (ICD E9101), England and Wales 1996 Age Description 5 to 9 10 to 14 15 to 19 Total M 5 8 18 F 1 0 3 E910.1 While engaged in other sport or recreational activity with diving equipment M 0 0 1 F 0 0 0 E910.2 While engaged in other sport or recreational activity without diving equipment M 1 3 7 F 0 0 1 E910.4 In bathtub M 0 0 0 F 0 0 1 E910.8 Other [including in swimming pools] M 2 3 4 F 1 0 1 E910.9 Unspecified M 2 2 6 F 0 0 0 1 International Classification of Diseases 9th revision.