§ Viscount WOLMERasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state what is the rate of infantile mortality (children under one year) in England, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada; and in which of these countries women exercise the municipal franchise?
§ Mr. BURNSIn most of the countries mentioned in the question the year 1909 is the most recent for which rates of infantile mortality are available. Owing to the wide fluctuations of infantile mortality from year to year, mainly owing to the varying nature of the summer seasons, comparison of the rates in different countries for different years might lead to erroneous conclusions. The rates for 1909 have, therefore, been stated, where possible. For Spain, however, the rate is not available since 1907, for Austria since 1908, and for European Russia since 1904.
The above rates of infantile mortality have been furnished to the Registrar-General by the authorities of the several countries. Comparison of them is, however, vitiated, in some cases probably to a considerable extent, by differences of practice in regard to the registration of still births. My present information does not enable me to reply to the latter part of the question.
Country. Year. Deaths under 1 to 1,000 Birth. England and Wales 1909 109 France 1909 120 German Empire 1909 170 Norway 1909 72 Sweden 1909 72 Denmark 1909 98 Spain 1907 158 Portugal (no information in General Register Office). Italy 1909 155 Austria 1908 205 Russia (European) 1904 232 New Zealand 1909 62 Australia (Commonwealth of) 1909 72 Canada (Ontario, Province) 1909 131