§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people between the ages of 12 and 21 years died from solvent abuse in the years 1979 to 1985; and if he will provide a breakdown by region.
§ Mr. John PattenExact figures of deaths associated with solvent abuse are not available. However, the table
134Walcohol. Limited additional information is given for deaths which may be associated with alcohol consumption. Deaths from road traffic accidents are not shown, but it is estimated that for all ages about one road death in five (i.e. about 1,000 a year in England and Wales) occurs in accidents where at least one person had consumed alcohol over the legal limit. Other than deaths due to toxic effect of alcohol, figures are not readily available for accidental deaths with any mention of alcohol on the death certificate.
shows the number of confirmed cases in England and Wales, by region, from the "National Study of Deaths Associated with the Abuse of volatile Substances for 1979 to 1984" (the latest available year). One death in 1984 which is at present an unconfirmed case is not included in the figures.
135W
Deaths associated with solvent abuse for persons aged 12 to 21, 1979–84 by standard region Standard Region Year 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 Northern — 4 4 1 1 10 North West 3 2 3 5 13 7 Yorkshire and Humberside 1 5 — 1 7 4 East Midlands — 1 2 2 4 2 West Midlands 1 1 3 2 4 5 East Anglia — — — — — 1 South East 6 6 10 16 17 17 South West — 1 1 5 5 4 Wales 1 1 2 2 1 8 England and Wales 12 21 25 35 52 58