HC Deb 09 December 1971 vol 827 cc371-2W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of deaths attributed to hypothermia amongst the very young and the elderly, respectively, in England over the past five years to the nearest convenient date;

(2) if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT the number of deaths attributed to hypothermia amongst the very young and the elderly, respectively, in Liverpool over the past five years to the nearest convenient date;

(3) if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the latest available information on regional figures relating to hypothermia.

Mr. Alison

The number of deaths attributed either to excessive cold, hunger, thirst or neglect in which hypothermia was a contributory cause, or to hypothermia as the underlying cause, were as follows:

1966–70
Age England Liverpool County Borough
0–4 years 28
5–64 years 91 7
65 years and over 388 13

Corresponding figures for the standard regions of England and Wales for 1969 and 1970 are as follows:

0–4 years 5–64 years 65 years and over
North 1 2 15
Yorkshire and Humberside 6 24
North West 7 7 41
East Midlands 1 1 23
West Midlands 2 10 24
East Anglia 1 10
South East 6 17 62
South West 2 4 14
Wales I (South East) 1 2 8
Wales II (Remainder) 1 2

It is not yet known how many deaths attributed to heart, lung or other conditions may have been accelerated by hypothermia during these periods.