HC Deb 26 February 1997 vol 291 cc241-3W
Mr. Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what have been the excess weekly mortality rates in Northern Ireland for(a) December 1996 and (b) January 1997 in terms of numbers; and what was the average figure for similar periods in the past five years; [17205]

(2) what have been the excess mortality rates in Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 years expressed (a) in excess numbers and (b) as percentages; [17433]

(3) what have been the excess winter mortality rates in Northern Ireland for each of the past 10 years in terms of (a) excess numbers and (b) percentages for (i) people over

Table 1: January and December excesses in average weekly mortality rates
Rates per 1,000 population
Year December average weekly mortality rate January average weekly mortality rate Annual average weekly mortality rate Excess December rate Excess January rate
Winter 1994–95 0.19 0.20 0.17 0.02 0.03
Winter 1993–94 0.22 0.21 0.17 0.05 0.04
Winter 1992–93 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.01 0.00
Winter 1991–92 0.19 0.19 0.17 0.02 0.02
Winter 1990–91 0.22 0.23 0.17 0.05 0.06
Your second and third questions (359 and 363, tabled on 20 February) asked, what have been the excess mortality rates in Northern Ireland for each of the last 10 years expressed (a) in excess numbers and (b) as percentages, and, what have been the excess winter mortality rates in Northern Ireland for each of the past 10 years in terms of (a) excess numbers and (b) percentages for (i) people over the age of 65 years, (ii) single parent families, (iii) people in receipt of income support, (iv) people with disabilities and (v) all other people not included in the above. The mortality rates requested are shown in Tables 2, 3 and 4 below. For the purpose of this exercise winter has been taken to mean the four month period extending form December to March.

Table 2; Excess winter mortality rates—all persons
Rates per 1,000 population
Year Average mortality rate for Winter period December to March Average mortality rate per 4 month period Excess mortality rate over Winter period Excess Winter deaths as a percentage of 4 monthly average
Winter 1994–95 3.34 3.06 0.29 9
Winter 1993–94 3.4 3.06 0.35 11
Winter 1992–93 3.19 3.18 0.01 0
Winter 1991–92 3.38 3.07 0.31 10
Winter 1990–91 3.66 3.09 0.57 18
Winter 1989–90 4.11 3.15 0.96 31
Winter 1988–89 3.38 3.40 -0.02 -1
Winter 1987–88 3.69 3.30 0.39 12
Winter 1986–87 3.43 3.26 0.16 5
Winter 1985–86 4.01 3.39 0.62 18

the age of 65 years, (ii) single-parent families, (iii) people in receipt of income support, (iv) people with disabilities and (v) others. [17472]

Sir John Wheeler

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Statistics and Research Agency under its chief executive, Mr. E. F. Jardine. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from E. F. Jardine to Mr. Alan Simpson, dated 26 February 1997: You recently tabled three questions asking the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for information on excess deaths in Northern Ireland as a result of winter hardship. The first of these questions (347, tabled on 19 February) asked, what have been the excess weekly mortality rates in Northern Ireland for (a) December 1996 and (b) January 1997 in terms of numbers; and how these compare with the weekly death rates for the same period in each of the previous five years. As deaths data from 1996 onwards have still to he finally collated, I am unable to supply you with the information you have requested for the months of December 1996 and January 1997. Average weekly mortality rates for the months of December and January in the five years previous to those specifically requested are shown in Table 1 below. This table also details the annual average weekly mortality rates over the period in question and the resultant excess rates for January and December.

Table 3: Excess winter mortality rates—persons over the age of 65 years
Rates per 1,000 populations
Year Average mortality rate for Winter period December to March Average mortality rate per 4 month period Excess mortality rate over Winter period Excess winter deaths as a percentage 4 monthly average
Winter 1994–95 22.26 19.98 2.28 11
Winter 1993–94 22.4 19.81 2.59 13
Winter 1992–93 20.95 20.66 0.30 1
Winter 1991–92 22.38 20.07 2.31 11
Winter 1990–91 24.28 19.98 4.30 22
Winter 1989–90 28.57 20.88 7.69 37
Winter 1988–89 22.53 22.74 -0.21 -1
Winter 1987–88 24.70 21.65 3.05 14
Winter 1986–87 22.88 21.44 1.44 7
Winter 1985–86 27.41 22.39 5.02 22

Table 4: Excess winter mortality rates—persons aged 0–65 years
Rates per 1,000 population
Year Average mortality rate for Winter period December to March Average mortality rate per 4 month period Excess mortality rate over Winter period Excess Winter deaths as a percentage of 4 monthly savings
Winter 1994–95 0.77 0.76 0.01 2
Winter 1993–94 0.83 0.79 0.04 6
Winter 1992–93 0.78 0.81 -0.03 -4

Table 4: Excess winter mortality rates—persons aged 0–65 years
Rates per 1,000 population
Year Average mortality rate for Winter period December to March Average mortality rate per 4 month period Excess mortality rate over Winter period Excess Winter deaths as a percentage of 4 monthly savings
Winter 1991–92 0.81 0.78 0.04 5
Winter 1990–91 0.89 0.82 0.06 8
Winter 1989–90 0.95 0.86 0.09 11
Winter 1988–89 0.91 0.91 0.00 0
Winter 1987–88 1.00 0.95 0.05 5
Winter 1986–87 0.96 0.96 0.00 0
Winter 1985–86 1.08 1.01 0.07 7
The mortality rates shown in these tables are based on date of occurrences of death and broadly take account of deaths registered within one year of death. In Tables 2, 3, and 4 1996 death registrations for deaths occurring in 1995 have been estimated. There is no information available on death rates for single parents, people in receipt of income support or people with disabilities. I trust this information is sufficient and if I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.