§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the measures which have reduced the perinatal mortality figures in Aberdeen from a high figure to the lowest in Great Britain are being applied in all parts of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarterThe same measures of care during pregnancy, labour and the perinatal period are available in Northern Ireland as in Aberdeen, though the legislation on abortion is not the same.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his practice to publish each year the perinatal and infant mortality rates in each area health board, and an analysis of the data indicating the reasons for any increase and decrease over the previous years.
§ Mr. CarterPerinatal and infant mortality rates for the 26 district council areas in Northern Ireland are published 477W in the Registrar General's annual report and I will consider the inclusion of the statistics for the four health and social services boards' areas in future annual reports of the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland. Analysis of the data, including the reasons for any increase and decrease over the previous years is not published, but the figures are under constant review in the Department.