HC Deb 17 May 1976 vol 911 cc424-5W
Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list, for each year since 1970, the number of births that have taken place in Plymouth and other Devon hospitals and maternity homes of parents whose permanent residence is in Cornwall; and how many of these were considered to be acute or difficult cases.

Dr. Owen

The numbers of births occurring in Plymouth and other Devon hospitals and maternity homes to mothers usually resident in Cornwall are as follows:

Plymouth Elsewhere in Devon
1970 758 79
1971 796 88
1972 888 73
1973 913 100
1974 819 86

It is not known how many of these were "acute" or "difficult" cases.

Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for each year since 1970 the number of births that took place in ambulances conveying expectant mothers resident in Cornwall to Plymouth and other Devon hospitals and maternity homes.

Dr. Owen

Specific information on the number of births taking place in ambulances is not available centrally. However, the numbers of births recorded as taking place on route to Plymouth and other Devon hospitals and maternity homes to mothers usually resident in Cornwall are as follows:

1970 1
1971 3
1972 3
1973 3
1974 4

All but one of these births took place on route to Plymouth.