§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish statistical information, in table form, of confirmed incidences of cancer/leukaemia in each constituency in Northern Ireland by age group(a) up to five years, (b) five to 10 years, (c) 10 to 15 years, (d) 15 to 20 years and (e) over 20 years, respectively.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 5 March 1990]: The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is given in the table:
Notification of leukaemia for Northern Ireland 1988 0–4 5–14 15–24 Over 24 8 6 10 90 Notes:
1. 1988 is the latest year for which information is available.
2. The information given includes all types of leukaemia.
Source: Northern Ireland cancer registration scheme
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action is being taken to identify the cause of cancer/leukaemia in children in Northern Ireland and to protect children where possible from risk of exposure to cancer/leukaemia stimulating factors.
865W
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 5 March 1990]: An investigation by an independent committee into patterns of disease with a possible association with radiation was published in 1989. It found no evidence of higher incidence or increased mortality from leukaemia in coastal compared with inland areas.
Northern Ireland is now involved with other parts of the United Kingdom in epidemiological research on leukaemia. Environmental assessment of ionising radiation is carried out to ensure that the community is not exposed to excess levels.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the incidence of cancer/leukaemia confirmed in children in(a) East Antrim, (b) Northern Ireland and (c) United Kingdom, respectively.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 5 March 1990]: The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is given in the table:
Notification of leukaemia for Children (0–14 years) in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom 1984 Numbers Northern Ireland 16 United Kingdom 414 866W
Eastern health and social services board Total in-patient waiting list by hospital and time waiting September 1984—September 1989 Hospital 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Ards 0–2 months 258 253 244 195 205 150 3–5 months 68 73 103 58 58 70 6–12 months 47 20 89 8 31 47 12–23 months 16 10 92 15 6 8 + 24 months — — 48 11 8 2 Total 389 356 576 287 308 277 Bangor 0–2 months 385 412 326 226 124 153 3–5 months — — — — 55 67 6–12 months — — — — 30 21 12–23 months — — — — 17 14 + 24 months — — — — 10 11 Total 385 412 326 226 236 266 Belfast City 0–2 months 732 940 1,445 1,156 969 1,045 3–5 months 275 311 799 601 790 623 6–12 months 233 233 722 658 744 672 12–23 months 201 125 245 496 506 593 + 24 months 267 218 245 401 588 785 Total 1,708 1,827 3,456 3,312 3,597 3,718 Belvoir Pk-NIRC 0–2 months 85 77 97 82 — 64 3–5 months — — — — — — 6–12 months — — — — — — 12–23 months — — — — — — + 24 months — — — — — — Total 85 77 97 82 0 64 Claremont St 0–2 months 2 — — C — — 3–5 months — — — L — — 6–12 months — — — O — — 12–23 months — — — S — — + 24 months — — — E — — Total 2 — — D — — Crawsfordburn 0–2 months 21 18 8 12 — 3 3–5 months 9 11 6 7 6 6 6–12 months 29 19 22 4 7 3 Notes:
1. 1984 is the latest year for which it is possible to produce a United Kingdom figure.
2. The information given includes all types of leukaemia.
Sources: Northern Ireland cancer registration scheme, Scottish Home and Health Department, Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.