§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what was the infant mortality rate in Calderdale in 1977; how this compares with all other areas in the United Kingdom; and what action his Department, in conjunction 138W with the regional and area health authorities, is taking to secure early substantial improvement, particularly in filling senior staff appointments ;
(2) what representations have been made to his Department by the appropriate health authorities, responsible for Calderdale, in respect of the area's very high infant mortality rate ; what proposals have been made ; and what action he is taking.
§ Mr. Moyle:The infant mortality rate in Calderdale in 1977 was 24.0—provisional figure—the highest rate for an area in the United Kingdom.
On 9th August 1978, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security wrote on my behalf to all chairmen of regional health authorities sending them a copy of the perinatal and infant mortality statistics for 1974 to 1977 inclusive and drawing their attention to those areas with worse-than-average figures, whose performance seemed to afford grounds for real concern, either because they were not improving or because they were improving at an unacceptably slow rate. Chairmen were asked to make a special approach to the area chairmen concerned, including the chairman of Calderdale area health authority, requesting them to report back by the end of the year on the specific policies they are adopting now and in future years to improve the situation. I have not yet received the report from Calderdale but my Department will give urgent consideration to any proposals they make for the strengthening of perinatal and infant health care. I am not aware of any present unfilled vacancies among senior staff in the area.