§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set a target date to cut the number of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease by 40 per cent. in Wales.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe Welsh Health Planning Forum has published an overall goal of a reduction in premature deaths from cardiovascular disease of a third by the year 2002 compared with 1988.
This category of condition encompasses, among other conditions, coronary heart disease and stroke for which separate targets have been set.
In Wales, from the baseline set in 1985, a reduction of 45 and 52 per cent. is sought for women and men respectively in the death rate from coronary heart disease, and 37 and 47 per cent. for women and men respectively in the death rate from stroke.
I am pleased to report that Wales is well on course to meeting these targets.