§ Mr. Randallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current infant mortality rate for Gateshead; how this compares with the rate during the past 10 years with towns of a similar size and population; and what was the national average at the most recent date.
§ Dr. John Dunwoody:The figures are as follows:
INFANT MORTALITY RATES PER THOUSAND LIVE BIRTHS Gateshead County Borough South Shields County Borough Gloucester County Borough Preston County Borough Population*100,560 Population*107,210 Population*90,490 Population*103,600 Acreage† Acreage† Acreage† Acreage† Year 4,559 4,876 5,294 6,357 1958 30 24 25 31 1959 24 24 24 32 1960 29 20 24 32 1961 29 26 17 34 1962 29 23 20 29 1963 22 19 27 28 1964 21 22 25 25 1965 18 21 16 25 1966 20 23 17 24 1967 25 18 21 26 1968 18 19 15 26 1968, England and Wales, 18 * Estimated mid-1968 home populations. † As at 1961 Census.