HC Deb 21 June 1995 vol 262 cc258-9W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sets of(a)twins, (b)triplets, (c)quadruplets, (d)quintuplets and (e)sextuplets were born in England in each year from 1990 to 1994; what was the total number of maternities in England in each year; how many multiple births were conceived as a result of (i) in vitro fertilisation, (ii) gamete intra-fallopian transfer and (iii) other forms of assisted conception; and if she will make a statement. [29529]

Mr. Sackville

The information on multiple and total maternities is shown in the table.

England
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
Twins 7,537 7,739 7,883 7,897 8,014
Triplets 190 201 192 225 249
Quadruplets 9 10 8 11 8
Quintuplets 1 1
Sextuplets 1
Septuplets
Total number of maternities with multiple births 7,736 7,951 8,084 8,134 8,271
All maternities 662,048 655,703 646,266 631,710 624,004

The table excludes those maternities to mothers resident outside England and Wales.

Figures relating to multiple births following assisted conception are contained in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority annual report, copies of which are available in the Library.