§ Mr. SimpsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the incidence of(a) hypothermia and (b) hypothermia-related illnesses in (i) December 1996 and (ii) January 1997. [11472]
§ Mrs. Angela KnightThe 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. Alan Simpson, 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 the incidence of hypothermia and hypothermia-related illnesses in December 1996 and January 1997.This information is not available for this period.The latest figures for NHS hospital in-patient incidences of hypothermia in England are for 1994/95. 1,012 incidences of hypothermia as the primary diagnosis were recorded. This figure 35W shows each incidence of hypothermia presented to a consultant and may, therefore, double count people who see more than one consultant or see a consultant for more than one incidence of hypothermia. It also only shows hospital in-patient figures, so does not include people dealt with by GPs or in emergency departments.This reply was drafted in conjunction with members of the Government Statistical Service in the Department of Health.