§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people(a) under 16 and (b) under 20 years died as a result of using (i) cocaine, (ii) heroin, (iii) Ecstasy and (iv) volatile substances, (1) nationally and (2) in the west midlands in each year since 1992; and if he will indicate the percentage change on the previous year. [11681]
§ Mrs. Angela Knight[holding answer 22 January 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Jim Cunningham, dated 27 January 1997:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on how many people have died as a result of using cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and volatile substances.The numbers of deaths in England and Wales in 1992 of under 16 and under 20 year olds assigned to accidental and other poisoning where cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and volatile substances were mentioned are published in Table 11 of Mortality statistics: injury and poisoning, England and Wales", series DH4, no. 18, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.Similar data for the West Midlands and for England and Wales for 1993, 1994 and 1995 could be provided at disproportionate cost.