§ Mr. Arthur Lewis asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will give at the latest and most convenient stated date as much information as may be readily available showing (a) to what extent the National 153W Health Service has dealt with injuries and deaths resulting from vehicle accidents, and in particular where deaths and injuries can be attributed to the failure to wear seat belts, (b) the number of deaths and illnesses resulting in medical treatment and (c) the number of deaths caused by or accentuated by smoking, drinking, obesity, and domestic or industrial accidents, which have involved the use of the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg: Mortality figures by main cause of death are given in the mortality statistics published annually by OPCS, but contributory factors are not separately identified. No accurate estimates are available of the total number of deaths attributable to smoking, drinking or obesity.
§ In 1978 there were about 71,600 discharges and deaths of patients admitted to National Health Service hospitals for treatment following road accidents, but equivalent figures for outpatients are not available. Many injuries would undoubtedly have been prevented if a seat belt had been worn.