§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death took place in England and Wales in(a) 1997, (b) 1992, (c) 1987, (d) 1982 and (e) 1977 amongst those (i) of all ages, (ii) aged 60 to 74, (iii) aged 74 to 84 and (iv) aged over 85 years; what were the winter mortality rates for (1) the population as a whole, (2) people aged 60 to 74, (3) people aged 75 to 84 and (4) people aged 85 years and over; and what the percentage increase was in each group compared to non-winter deaths in 1997–98, 1992–93,1987–88,1982–83 and 1977–78. [66381]
§ Ms HewittThe 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. Eddie O'Hara, dated 25 January 1999:
As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on how many deaths, where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death, took place in England and Wales.The information requested is shown in the tables below.21W
Deaths for selected age-groups where hypothermia was mentioned as the main or contributory cause of death in England and Wales 1977–971 Year All ages 60–74 75–84 85+ 1977 594 139 232 155 1982 645 147 224 188 1987 551 117 205 151 1992 329 57 115 117 1997 357 51 127 127 1 Data for 1997 are based on deaths that occurred during the year, deaths for all other years are based on those registered during the year
Excess winter mortality, England and Wales 1977–78 to 1997–98 All ages 60–74 75–54 85+ 1997–98 2 Excess winter deaths1 23,220 4,940 7,890 9,140 Percentage increase in mortality in winter 13 11 14 19 1 Rounded to the nearest 10 2 Provisional
Excess winter deaths are defined as the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average of the number of deaths during the preceding autumn (August to November) and the following summer (April to July).