HC Deb 24 May 1993 vol 225 c437W
Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many miscarriages, stillbirths and children born alive were recorded in each year since 1988.

Mr. Sackville

The numbers of live births and stillbirths which occurred in England and Wales from 1988 to 1992 are shown in the table. The total number of miscarriages is not known.

Live and Stillbirths England and Wales 1988–1992
Live births Stillbirths
1988 693,577 3,382
1989 687,725 3,236
1990 706,140 3,256
1991 699,217 3,254
1992 689,656 13,160
1 The figures given for 1992 include 216 stillbirths of 24 to 27 weeks gestation which occurred between 1 October and 31 December. On 1 October 1992 the legal definition of a stillbirth was altered from a baby born dead after 28 completed weeks gestation or more, to one born dead after 24 completed weeks gestation or more.