Mortality Rates (Hansard, 15 January 1996)

§ Mr. Morgan
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish an inquiry into the changes in(a) the perinatal, (b) the neonatal and (c) the infant mortality rates in Wales between 1993 and 1994. [9527]

§ Mr. Hague
No. Despite an increase of 14 deaths between 1993 and 1994 the trend is still clearly downward.

G-12: Infant mortality rate

(per 1000 live births)

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

EUR 15 34.5 27.5 23.4 18.1 12.4 9.5 8.4 8.0 7.6 7.4p 6.9p 6.5p

B 31.2 23.7 21.1 16.1 12.1 9.8 9.0 8.7 8.0 8.2p 8.2p 8.0p

DK 21.5 18.7 14.2 10.4 8.4 7.9 7.6 8.0 7.5 7.3 6.6 5.4

D 35.0 24.1 22.5 18.9 12.4 9.1 7.6 7.5 7.0 6.9 6.2 5.8

GR 40.1 34.3 29.6 24.0 17.9 14.1 11.0 9.7 9.7 9.0 8.4 8.5

E 43.7 37.8 28.1 18.9 12.3 8.9 8.0 7.8 7.6 7.2 7.1 6.9p

F 27.5 22.0 18.2 13.8 10.0 8.3 7.8 7.5 7.3 7.3 6.8 6.4p

IRL 29.3 25.2 19.5 17.5 11.1 8.8 8.9 8.1 8.2 7.6 6.7 6.0

I 43.9 36.0 29.6 21.2 14.6 10.5 9.3 8.7 8.2 8.1 8.3p 7.3p

L 31.5 24.0 24.9 14.8 11.5 9.0 8.7 9.9 7.3 9.2 8.5 6.0

NL 17.9 14.4 12.7 10.6 8.6 8.0 6.8 6.8 7.1 6.5 6.3 6.3

A 37.5 28.3 25.9 20.5 14.3 11.2 8.1 8.3 7.8 7.5 7.5 6.5

P 77.5 64.9 55.5 38.9 24.3 17.8 13.1 12.2 11.0 10.8 9.3 8.7

FIN 21.0 17.6 13.2 10.0 7.6 6.3 6.1 6.0 5.6 5.9 5.2 4.4

S 16.6 13.3 11.0 8.6 6.9 6.8 5.8 5.8 6.0 6.2 5.3 4.8

UK 22.5 19.7 18.5 16.1 12.1 9.3 9.0 8.4 7.9 7.4 6.6 6.3p

IS 13.0 15.0 13.2 12.5 7.7 5.7 6.2 5.5 5.9 5.5 4.8 4.8

FL 21.1 22.8 11.8 6.5 7.6 10.7 4.8 — — — 10 —

N 18.9 16.8 12.7 11.1 8.1 8.5 8.3 7.9 7.0 6.4 5.9 5.1

EEA 34.4 27.4 23.3 18.0 12.4 9.5 8.4 8.0 7.6 7.4p 6.9p 6.5p

CH 21.1 17.8 15.1 10.7 9.1 6.9 6.8 7.3 6.8 6.2 6.4 5.6

G-13: Neonatal mortality rate

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

EUR 15 — — — 12.6 8.3 6.0 5.1 4.8 4.5 4.4p — —

B 20.4 16.0 14.2 11.7 7.5 5.8 5.1 4.2 4.2 4.3p — —

DK 16.1 14.7 11.0 8.0 5.6 4.7 4.6 4.7 4.6 4.2 4.1 3.5

D 23.1 — 17.2 13.4 8.1 5.3 4.2 4.2 3.7 3.5 3.4 3.1

GR 19.5 19.8 19.6 18.0 13.9 10.6 8.1 6.6 6.5 6.1 5.7 6.1

386W

§ Mr. Morgan
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what information he has on perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates in other European countries in 1993 and 1994; [9524]
(2) what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the use of perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates in other European countries as comparators for the Welsh statistics; and if he will make a statement. [9523]

§ Mr. Hague
The information is contained in the following tables, taken from "Demographic Statistics 1995" published by Eurostat. A copy of this document is available in the Library of the House. No figures are available for 1994.
I have not commissioned or evaluated research on the use of perinatal, neonatal and infant mortality rates in other European countries as comparators for the Welsh statistics. However, comparisons of infant mortality rates between the United Kingdom and other countries are compiled, evaluated and published by the appropriate international organisation, in particular the World Health Organisation and Eurostat.
The figures published for Wales in "Health Statistics Wales" show that despite a small increase in deaths between 1993 and 1994 the trend is still clearly downward. The increase last year may not in itself be significant, although we do keep the situation under review.
The figures from 1990–94 show an overall reduction in the rate of infant mortality—the number of deaths per 1,000 live births—from 6.9 to 6.1. The figures published by various international organisations indicate that this is one of the lowest rates in Europe, and a figure of which Wales should be proud.
387W

G-13: Neonatal mortality rate

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

E 20.2 20.0 17.5 12.6 8.5 5.9 5.2 5.1 5.0 4.6 4.6p —

F 17.7 15.3 12.7 9.1 5.8 4.6 4.1 3.8 3.6 3.5 3.3 —

IRL 20.4 17.2 12.8 12.0 6.7 5.3 5.3 4.8 4.8 5.0 4.3 4.0

I 23.9 22.5 20.6 16.1 11.3 8.2 7.3 6.8 6.3 6.2 — —

L 19.1 16.3 16.8 9.5 5.3 2.9 4.1 6.4 4.3 5.0 4.1 3.4

NL 13.5 11.4 9.5 7.6 5.7 5.0 4.6 4.6 4.8 4.6 4.4 4.5

A — — — 15.5 9.4 7.1 4.8 4.9 4.4 4.4 4.7 3.7

P 27.9 25.4 24.3 22.1 15.5 12.2 8.6 8.1 7.0 6.9 6.0 5.6

FIN 14.4 13.6 10.5 7.8 5.1 4.3 3.9 4.1 3.7 4.2 3.7 3.0

S — — 9.1 6.4 5.0 4.2 3.7 3.7 3.5 3.6 3.3 3.1

UK 16.0 13.4 12.5 10.9 7.7 5.3 4.9 4.7 4.5 4.4 4.3 4.2p

IS 9.2 10.6 10.2 8.9 6.0 3.6 4.1 3.3 4.0 2.9 3.7 2.8

FL — — — — — — — — — — — —

N 11.7 11.9 9.5 7.3 5.1 4.7 4.5 3.9 3.9 3.7 3.8 3.5

EEA — — — 12.6 8.3 6.0 5.1 4.8 4.5 4.4p — —

CH 16.1 13.8 10.9 7.4 5.9 4.5 4.2 4.4 3.8 3.6 3.9 3.5

G-17: Perinatal mortality rate

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

EUR 15 — — — 20.3 14.1 10.8 9.2 8.8 8.3 8.1p — —

B 31.9 27.3 23.3 20.0 14.1 10.8 9.7 9.1 8.9 8.3p — —

DK 26.2 23.9 17.9 13.3 8.9 8.1 8.7 9.1 8.3 7.9 8.1 7.4

D 31.2 25.3 25.3 18.8 12.1 8.4 7.0 6.8 6.3 5.8 5.8 5.4

GR 26.4 29.4 27.4 25.5 20.3 15.7 12.9 12.1 11.9 11.1 10.0 10.9

E — — — 20.9 14.4 10.9 8.8 8.2 7.6 7.2 7.3 —

F 31.4 27.9 23.3 18.1 12.9 10.7 9.2 8.9 8.3 8.2 7.7 —

IRL 37.7 30.0 24.3 21.5 14.8 12.3 11.3 10.3 10.1 9.5 9.3p —

I 41.9 36.5 31.2 24.2 17.8 13.5 12.1 11.0 10.5 10.4 — —

L 32.2 30.6 24.7 16.0 9.8 7.8 7.1 9.0 6.9 9.6 7.7 6.3

NL 26.6 23.1 18.6 13.9 11.1 9.8 9.1 9.6 9.6 9.1 9.1 9.1

A — — — 21.2 14.1 10.1 7.3 7.6 6.9 6.5 6.8 6.1

P 41.1 38.6 36.5 31.3 23.9 21.5 16.6 16.3 14.2 13.7 11.9 10.2

FIN 27.5 24.5 17.0 12.4 8.4 7.3 6.5 6.4 6.2 6.8 5.9 5.1

S — — 16.4 11.3 8.8 7.4 6.9 6.6 6.5 6.6 5.8 5.9

UK 33.5 27.7 23.7 19.8 13.4 9.9 8.7 8.3 8.1 8.1 7.7 9.1p

IS 19.7 24.0 18.5 15.6 8.8 5.2 7.5 4.2 6.3 4.6 6.7 4.1

FL — — — — — — — — — — — —

N 23.7 21.4 19.1 14.1 11.1 9.1 7.8 7.6 7.5 7.4 7.4 6.9

EEA — — — 20.3 14.1 10.8 9.2 8.8 8.3 8.1p — —

CH 25.6 22.8 18.1 13.4 9.5 8.3 7.2 7.8 7.7 7.1 7.0 6.8

§ Mr. Morgan
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the(a) perinatal, (b) neonatal and (c) infant mortality rates in Wales in (i) the first quarter and (ii) the first half of 1995; and if he will place that information in the Library. [9528]

§ Mr. Hague
The information, provided by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, is in the following table. All the data are provisional:

First quarter of 1995 First half of 1995

Perinatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live and still births) 7.3 7.0

Neonatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) 3.9 3.6

Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) 6.0 5.4

G-12: Infant mortality rate
(per 1000 live births)
	1960	1965	1970	1975	1980	1985	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993
EUR 15	34.5	27.5	23.4	18.1	12.4	9.5	8.4	8.0	7.6	7.4p	6.9p	6.5p
B	31.2	23.7	21.1	16.1	12.1	9.8	9.0	8.7	8.0	8.2p	8.2p	8.0p
DK	21.5	18.7	14.2	10.4	8.4	7.9	7.6	8.0	7.5	7.3	6.6	5.4
D	35.0	24.1	22.5	18.9	12.4	9.1	7.6	7.5	7.0	6.9	6.2	5.8
GR	40.1	34.3	29.6	24.0	17.9	14.1	11.0	9.7	9.7	9.0	8.4	8.5
E	43.7	37.8	28.1	18.9	12.3	8.9	8.0	7.8	7.6	7.2	7.1	6.9p
F	27.5	22.0	18.2	13.8	10.0	8.3	7.8	7.5	7.3	7.3	6.8	6.4p
IRL	29.3	25.2	19.5	17.5	11.1	8.8	8.9	8.1	8.2	7.6	6.7	6.0
I	43.9	36.0	29.6	21.2	14.6	10.5	9.3	8.7	8.2	8.1	8.3p	7.3p
L	31.5	24.0	24.9	14.8	11.5	9.0	8.7	9.9	7.3	9.2	8.5	6.0
NL	17.9	14.4	12.7	10.6	8.6	8.0	6.8	6.8	7.1	6.5	6.3	6.3
A	37.5	28.3	25.9	20.5	14.3	11.2	8.1	8.3	7.8	7.5	7.5	6.5
P	77.5	64.9	55.5	38.9	24.3	17.8	13.1	12.2	11.0	10.8	9.3	8.7
FIN	21.0	17.6	13.2	10.0	7.6	6.3	6.1	6.0	5.6	5.9	5.2	4.4
S	16.6	13.3	11.0	8.6	6.9	6.8	5.8	5.8	6.0	6.2	5.3	4.8
UK	22.5	19.7	18.5	16.1	12.1	9.3	9.0	8.4	7.9	7.4	6.6	6.3p
IS	13.0	15.0	13.2	12.5	7.7	5.7	6.2	5.5	5.9	5.5	4.8	4.8
FL	21.1	22.8	11.8	6.5	7.6	10.7	4.8	—	—	—	10	—
N	18.9	16.8	12.7	11.1	8.1	8.5	8.3	7.9	7.0	6.4	5.9	5.1
EEA	34.4	27.4	23.3	18.0	12.4	9.5	8.4	8.0	7.6	7.4p	6.9p	6.5p
CH	21.1	17.8	15.1	10.7	9.1	6.9	6.8	7.3	6.8	6.2	6.4	5.6

G-13: Neonatal mortality rate
	1960	1965	1970	1975	1980	1985	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993
EUR 15	—	—	—	12.6	8.3	6.0	5.1	4.8	4.5	4.4p	—	—
B	20.4	16.0	14.2	11.7	7.5	5.8	5.1	4.2	4.2	4.3p	—	—
DK	16.1	14.7	11.0	8.0	5.6	4.7	4.6	4.7	4.6	4.2	4.1	3.5
D	23.1	—	17.2	13.4	8.1	5.3	4.2	4.2	3.7	3.5	3.4	3.1
GR	19.5	19.8	19.6	18.0	13.9	10.6	8.1	6.6	6.5	6.1	5.7	6.1

G-17: Perinatal mortality rate
	1960	1965	1970	1975	1980	1985	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993
EUR 15	—	—	—	20.3	14.1	10.8	9.2	8.8	8.3	8.1p	—	—
B	31.9	27.3	23.3	20.0	14.1	10.8	9.7	9.1	8.9	8.3p	—	—
DK	26.2	23.9	17.9	13.3	8.9	8.1	8.7	9.1	8.3	7.9	8.1	7.4
D	31.2	25.3	25.3	18.8	12.1	8.4	7.0	6.8	6.3	5.8	5.8	5.4
GR	26.4	29.4	27.4	25.5	20.3	15.7	12.9	12.1	11.9	11.1	10.0	10.9
E	—	—	—	20.9	14.4	10.9	8.8	8.2	7.6	7.2	7.3	—
F	31.4	27.9	23.3	18.1	12.9	10.7	9.2	8.9	8.3	8.2	7.7	—
IRL	37.7	30.0	24.3	21.5	14.8	12.3	11.3	10.3	10.1	9.5	9.3p	—
I	41.9	36.5	31.2	24.2	17.8	13.5	12.1	11.0	10.5	10.4	—	—
L	32.2	30.6	24.7	16.0	9.8	7.8	7.1	9.0	6.9	9.6	7.7	6.3
NL	26.6	23.1	18.6	13.9	11.1	9.8	9.1	9.6	9.6	9.1	9.1	9.1
A	—	—	—	21.2	14.1	10.1	7.3	7.6	6.9	6.5	6.8	6.1
P	41.1	38.6	36.5	31.3	23.9	21.5	16.6	16.3	14.2	13.7	11.9	10.2
FIN	27.5	24.5	17.0	12.4	8.4	7.3	6.5	6.4	6.2	6.8	5.9	5.1
S	—	—	16.4	11.3	8.8	7.4	6.9	6.6	6.5	6.6	5.8	5.9
UK	33.5	27.7	23.7	19.8	13.4	9.9	8.7	8.3	8.1	8.1	7.7	9.1p
IS	19.7	24.0	18.5	15.6	8.8	5.2	7.5	4.2	6.3	4.6	6.7	4.1
FL	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
N	23.7	21.4	19.1	14.1	11.1	9.1	7.8	7.6	7.5	7.4	7.4	6.9
EEA	—	—	—	20.3	14.1	10.8	9.2	8.8	8.3	8.1p	—	—
CH	25.6	22.8	18.1	13.4	9.5	8.3	7.2	7.8	7.7	7.1	7.0	6.8

	First quarter of 1995	First half of 1995
Perinatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live and still births)	7.3	7.0
Neonatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live births)	3.9	3.6
Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births)	6.0	5.4