HC Deb 22 November 2000 vol 357 cc248-9W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in (1) how many deaths in England and Wales in 1999 hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate, broken down between(a) all ages, (b) those aged 60 to 74, (c) those aged 75 to 84 and (d) those aged 85 and over; [137268]

(2) how many excess winter deaths there were in England and Wales in 1999–2000 (a) in all age groups, (b) for those aged 60 to 74, (c) for those aged 75 to 84 and (d) for those aged 85 and over; [137269]

(3) in how many deaths in 1999 in England and Wales hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate for (a) all age groups, (b) those aged 60 to 74, (c) those aged 75 to 84 and (d) those aged 85 years and over; [136545]

(4) what was the number of excess winter deaths in 1999–2000 for (a) all ages, (b) those aged 60 to 74, (c) those aged 75 to 84 and (d) those aged 85 years and over. [136550]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, I have asked him to reply.

Letter from John Pullinger to Mr. Austin Mitchell, dated 22 November 2000: The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions on deaths in 1999 in England and Wales where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate (136545/137268) and the number of excess winter deaths in 1999–2000 (136550/137269). I am replying in his absence. The information requested is given in the following tables.

Deaths with a mention of hypothermia (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code N991.6)—England and Wales, 1999
Number
All ages 325
0–59 58
60–74 55
75–84 102
85+ 100

Excess winter deaths for winter 1999–2000 (provisional figures)— England and Wales
Number
All ages 49,440
0–59 2,660
60–74 9,350
75–84 16,990
85+ 20,440

The figures for winter 1999–2000 are provisional and will only be finalised in October 2001 when data for all deaths occurring in 2000 becomes complete.

Excess winter deaths are defined by National Statistics 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).