HC Deb 11 July 1984 vol 63 cc598-9W
Mr. Lambie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Scottish Health Service Planning Council concerning the death rate in Scotland from cancer in men and in women; what is the international rank of Scotland in such statistics and projections of future trends; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Younger

I have received no representations from the Scottish Health Service Planning Council concerning the death rate in Scotland from cancer in men and in women; though the report of the programme planning group on cancer services in Scotland, which was appointed by the Planning Council, refers to death rates from cancer in Scottish men and women. This report was published in 1981 and is available in the Library. The latest data comparing age-adjusted death rates for cancers in different countries are contained in a publication this year by the Segi Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, entitled "Age and Adjusted Death Rates for Cancer for Selected Sites (A-Classification) in 46 Countries in 1978." This shows that in 1978, Scotland had the third highest death rate for all cancers in males and the highest death rate for all cancers in females. There are no comparable international projections of future trends in cancer death rates.

Mr. Lambie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish for Scotland statistics analogous to those contained in the cancer statistics registrations for England and Wales published by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Younger

Scottish cancer registration statistics are already published by the information services division of the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service. "Cancer Registration ad Survival Statistics, Scotland 1963–1977" was published in 1981, and a new publication in this series relating to cancer registration statistics, Scotland, for the years 1971 to 1980 is due to be published this autumn. A summary of cancer registration statistics is included in "Scottish Health Statistics" which is published annually and is available in the Library.