HC Deb 16 November 1987 vol 122 cc438-9W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give a breakdown of the total numbers of maternal deaths recorded in each year since 1957, where necessary using information from the confidential inquiry into maternal mortality by(a) illegal abortions, (b) legal abortions under the Abortion Act 1967 and (c) spontaneous abortions.

Mr. Newton

The available figures are shown in the table.

or abortion and deaths which after detailed examination are found not to be true maternal deaths.

1 Includes spontaneous missed abortions.

2 From 1970, only deaths up to 42 days after pregnancy or delivery are included in line with the international definition of maternal deaths.

3 Does not include five anaesthetic deaths, four associated with legal and one with spontaneous abortion.

4 Does not include one anaesthetic death.