§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what measures he proposes to take in order to reduce the infant mortality rate in the county of Gwent of 15.7 per 1,000 in view of the fact that it is now nearly 45 per cent. above the United Kingdom average;
(2) in view of the fact that Gwent and Clwyd have perinatal mortality rates in excess of 15 per thousand, if he will list the measures he proposes to bring the incidence down to the United Kingdom average;
(3) if he is satisfied with the level and standard of infant intensive care provision in hospitals in Gwent and Clwyd.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsPerinatal and infant mortality rates for individual counties fluctuate considerably because of the small numbers involved. It would not be appropriate to judge the adequacy of provision or to base action only on individual county figures in a single year. None the less, the Welsh Office is actively considering ways of improving further the standard of care for the newborn.