§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will make a statement on the decline in the birth rate and the survey and research work thereon.
§ Mr. William PriceI have been asked to reply.
The birth rate in the United Kingdom has been declining since 1965 and the latest indications are that it is continuing to decline. My right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal announced the Government's views on population issues on 716W 22nd July 1974 in response to the report of the Population Panel (Cmnd. 5258), and he intends that a stocktaking report on population questions should be completed next year. This report will be based on the latest demographic information and on specific research; particular attention will be paid to fertility, mortality and migration as major factors influencing the size and structure of our population.