HC Deb 21 November 1983 vol 49 cc67-8W
Mr. Andrew Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in theOfficial Report the numbers of elderly people who died from cold-related diseases in the winter months in each of the years 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982.

Mr. John Patten

There is no definitive list of cold-related diseases; there is increased risk with cold to people suffering a wide variety of conditions. The following table shows the numbers of deaths of persons aged 65 and over where hypothermia was mentioned on the medical certificate of cause of death.

Deaths with mention of hypothermia for the first and last quarters, 1978 to 1982, England and Wales
Year Quarter 65 and over
1978 March 371
December 121
1979 March 492

Year Quarter 65 and over
December 91
1980 March 276
December 127
1981 March 290
December 198
1982 March 354
December 112