HC Deb 18 February 1981 vol 999 cc160-1W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the perinatal and infant mortality rates, respectively, for each social class where babies were born into married households in each area health authority for each of the last five years.

Sir George Young

The latest information for legitimate births in England is as follows:

Infant and perinatal *mortality rates, 1975–78, by social class—legitimate births only—England
Year Social Class
I II III IV V
1975
Perinatal 13.6 15.5 18.4 21.4 27.1
Infant 10.9 11.8 14.1 17.5 23.9
1976
Perinatal 12.7 14.3 16.6 19.3 25.0
Infant 9.6 10.5 12.5 15.5 22.7
1977
Perinatal 11.4 12.9 16.4 18.9 22.3
Infant 8.8 10.5 12.1 15.3 19.9
1978
Perinatal 12.0 12.2 14.8 16.7 20.1
Infant 9.9 9.9 12.1 13.7 17.2
* Per 1,000 total births.

1979 data will not be available until late spring.