§ Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the perinatal mortality and handicap figures for 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1986 for England and Wales, the north-west region, Greater Manchester, the city of Salford and the Eccles constituency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe available information is given in the table. The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys does not produce statistics on handicap. Because of boundary changes, information for the Eccles constituency for 1985 can be produced only at disproportionate cost. Figures for 1986 are not yet available.
for a smear test than younger women. Women over 35 still contribute 94 per cent. of the deaths from cervical cancer. Payment for the screening of women under 35 is provided for in the generality of fees and allowances paid to general medical practitioners.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will allocate funding for the Health Education Council to extend programmes designed to increase public awareness of the case for regular cervical and breast screening attendances.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Health Education Council produces a number of useful leaflets aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of prevention and early detection of cancer. The Department and the HEC are discussing possible further action, but no additional funding is available in this financial year. The new Health Education Authority will be asked to consider this matter when deciding its priorities for 1987–88.