§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the Official Report figures to illustrate his statement, Official Report, 13th November, column 106, during the Second Reading debate on the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Bill, that the perinatal mortality figure is going down very rapidly.
§ Mr. MoyleThe following table shows the perinatal mortality rate—stillbirths502W and infant deaths under one week per 1,000 total births—for England and Wales for the years 1947 to 1977.
Year Rate 1947 40.3 1948 38.5 1949 38.0 1950 37.4 1951 38.2 1952 37.5 1953 36.9 1954 38.1 1955 37.4 1956 36.7 1957 36.2 1958 35.0 1959 34.1 1960 32.8 1961 32.0 1962 30.8 1963 29.3 1964 28.2 1965 26.9 1966 26.3 1967 25.4 1968 24.7 1969 23.4 1970 23.5 1971 22.3 1972 21.7 1973 21.0 1974 20.4 1975 19.3 1976 17.7 1977 17.0 The provisional perinatal mortality rate for the first quarter of 1978 is 15.9.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research is being currently sponsored by his Department into perinatal mortality and infant mortality; what is the cost of each project; and when is each project likely to be completed.
§ Mr. MoyleMy Department is currently funding the following research relating to perinatal and infant mortality
Dr. Eve Alberman at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is studying the success of medical care in reducing the mortality and morbidity of babies weighing 2,000 grammes or less at birth. The total cost of this project is estimated at £47,000; and it is due to be completed in September 1979.A multicentre study of post perinatal deaths is being carried out under the direction of Professor Knowelden at Sheffield University. The objective of the research is to identify the factors contributing to death and the formulation of preventive measures. The total estimated cost of the research is over £300,000; and the pro-gramme is due to be completed by Dec-ember 1980.503WDr. Ian Chalmers at the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit at the Research Institute, Churchill Hospital, Oxford is conducting epidemiological research in the perinatal field with a view to providing information which can promote effective use of resources in the perinatal health services. The Department's initial support is estimated at £146,000, over a period of five years ending in December 1982.Professor Hibbard at the Welsh National School of Medicine is carrying out a study of screening for neural tube defects. The total cost is estimated at £106,000 and the project is due to be completed in November 1979.In addition the Department has just approved a grant of £5,000 to Mrs. J. C. Roberts at Park Hospital for Children, Oxford to study the link between sudden infant death and child abuse. It is expected that this project will commence in May 1979 and last for 12 months.I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that the Medical Research Council also supports relevant research in these areas, details of which will be circulated in the Official Report as soon as possible. Such research is also being undertaken by universities and hospital medical schools, but she regrets that details are not available.
§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish in the Official Report his Department's definition of perinatal mortality, infant mortality and neonatal mortality; on what basis national figures are collected and at what frequency; whether they separate illegitimate births; and
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TABLE 1 >NUMBER OF SECURE PLACES IN ALL COMMUNITY HOMES Regional planning area Places for girls Places for boys Places for both sexes Total 1 … … … — — 50 50 2 … … … 5 3 5 13 3 … … … 16 32 2 50 4 … … … 12 7 6 25 5 … … … — 3 — 3 6 … … … — 6 — 6 7 … … … — 17 6 23 8 … … … 20 40 — 60 9 … … … — — — — 10 … … … — — 2 2 11 … … … 12 26 2 40 Total … … … 65 134 73 272 whether they separate hospital and home confinements.
§ Mr. MoyleThe definitions are—
perinatal mortality rate: stillbirths and deaths under one week of age per 1,000 total (live and still) births,infant mortality rate: deaths under one year of age per 1,000 live births,neonatal mortality rate: deaths under four weeks of age per 1,000 live births.Statistical information from birth and death registrations in England and Wales is sent to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys weekly, and from this it is possible to compile figures about infants by legitimacy and place of confinement. Basic statistics are compiled and published weekly or quarterly, but analyses based on legitimacy or place of confinement are at present only compiled annually.