§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many elderly people died as a result of hypothermia in Northern Ireland in the last three years for which figures are available; and how many of these deaths occurred during the six months winter period in each of these years;
(2) what percentage of those elderly people who have died as a result of hypothermia in each of the last three years for which figures are available were over the age of 65 years.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe information is as follows:
1981 1982 1983 Number of deaths (all over 65 years of age) 18 9 10 Number of deaths which occurred in the period January to March or October to December 14 9 9 Note:
Figures for 1983 are provisional.
§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths of elderly people in the last three years for which figures are available were indirectly attributable to hypothermia or involved elderly patients dying soon after recovery from hypothermia.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe information is not available in the form requested.