HC Deb 13 December 1983 vol 50 c414W
Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report figures for the birth rate in Scotland in each of the last 20 years, broken down by socio-economic group.

Mr. John MacKay

Birth statistics are compiled by social class, not by the more detailed socio-economic groups. Numbers of births by social class are available in Tables 25 (1963–67) and S2.10 (1968–82) of the Registrar General's annual reports. Birth rates can only be calculated for census years, when appropriate population data are available. Figures for 1961, 1971 and 1981 are given in the table below. (There have been some changes in the definition of social class between censuses.)

Legitimate live births registered in Scotland per 1000 married women aged 15–44 by social class of husband.
Social Class of Husband 1981 1971 1961
All Classes (including not stated) 93 120 143
I 116 133 205
II 80 101 116
IIIN 116 124 142
IIIM 92 124 142
IV 100 128 136
V 143 162 217