HC Deb 20 December 1999 vol 341 cc436-7W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the excess winter deaths for each English region, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in 1998–99. [100919]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 20 December 1999: As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question asking for the excess winter deaths for each English region, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in 1998–99. Excess winter deaths are defined by the ONS as the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average number of deaths during the preceding autumn (August to November) and the following summer (April to July). Figures for Scotland are now the responsibility of the Scottish Executive. Figures are provided in the attached table for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Numbers of excess winter deaths can vary greatly from year to year, depending, for example, on the winter's severity or the occurrence of infectious disease epidemics. Figures are therefore presented for years 1988/89 to 1998/99. The figures for the final year are provisional.

Ms Quin

My noble Friend the Minister of State replied to the letter from the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire on 16 December.

Sir Brian Mawhinney

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 22 October on behalf of his constituent Ms Hodson. [103084]

Mr. Morley

I replied on 14 December 1999 to the right hon. Member's letter of 22 October on behalf of Ms Hodson.

Mr. Gill

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Ludlow dated 20 July concerning CJD and BSE. [102685]

Ms Quin

My noble Friend the Minister of State replied to the letter from the hon. Member for Ludlow on 17 December.