HC Deb 01 July 1977 vol 934 c362W
Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many babies were born with physical damage in the Forest of Dean in 1976, 1975, 1974, 1966, 1956 and 1946;

(2) how many babies were born physically damaged in 1976, 1975, 1974 and in 1964, 1954 and 1944.

Mr. Moyle

The numbers of babies notified as having congenital malformations observed at birth in England and Wales are as follows:

1964 … … 14,564
1974 … … 12,729
1975 … … 12,230
1976* … … 12,214
* Provisional.
The notifications, which were started in 1964, are made on a voluntary basis and may, therefore, understate the true numbers. Figures are not available for areas smaller than area health authorities.