§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report statistics relating to the incidence of venereal disease in persons aged (a) between 16 and 18 years and (b) under 16 years in each of the years 1970 to 1976 or the nearest available date.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe figures of new cases of infection of syphilis—primary and secondary only—and gonorrhoea—post-pubertal infections only treated in clinics for sexually transmitted diseases in England in the years 1970–75 inclusive are as follows:
Department but undertaken by other Government Departments or organisations, and surveys undertaken or sponsored by National Health Service authorities. Also excluded are returns or surveys involving the collection of information from within the National Health Service but returns from local government authorities are included.
The surveys and statistical returns vary, their nature ranging from the routine supply of statistical information to occasional detailed interview surveys of members of the public. Their common purpose is to obtain information necessary to aid the Department to discharge its policy making and administrative responsibilities. I regret that further information could only be supplied at disproportionate expense.