---

Winter Mortality Rates

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death took place in Northern Ireland 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 (A) 1997-98, (B) 1992-93, (C) 1987-88, (D) 1982-83 and (E) 1977-78. [79420]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Statistics and Research Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Edgar Jardine. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

13 Apr 1999 : Column: 142

Letter from E. F. Jardine to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 2 April 1999:

You tabled a parliamentary question asking the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland--

(1) how many deaths where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death took place in Northern Ireland 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; and

(2) what were the winter mortality rates for (a) the population as a whole, (b) people aged 60 to 74, (c) people aged 75 to 84 and (d) people aged over 85 years; and what the percentage increase was in each age group compared to non-winter deaths in (i) 1997/98, (ii) 1992/93, (iii) 1987/88, (iv) 1982/83 and (v) 1977/78, respectively.

Deaths are classified by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes.

In answer to part (1) of your question Table 1 shows the number of deaths occurring in Northern Ireland, in each of the years specified, where hypothermia (ICD code 991.6) was either the main cause or a contributory cause of death. In 1977, there were no deaths attributed to hypothermia, but as the table shows, 14 deaths were attributed to ICD code 991 which covers all deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature. Consequently the detailed information requested on hypothermia has been produced for deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature, as shown in Table 2.

Table 1: Death due to the effects of reduced temperature by ICD code

Deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature	1977	1982	1987	1992	1997
ICD code 991.6--hypothermia	0	17	15	14	22
ICD code 991.9--unspecified	0	0	4	0	0
ICD code 991--sub-code not specified (excluding 991.6 and 991.9)	14	0	0	0	2
ICD code 991--all deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature	14	17	19	14	24

13 Apr 1999 : Column: 141

13 Apr 1999 : Column: 141

In response to part (2) of your question Table 3 shows the winter and non-winter mortality rates as requested and the percentage increase from non-winter to winter mortality rates in each of the categories.

I trust this information is sufficient, however if I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Table 2: Deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature (19)

					Number of deaths
Deaths by age	1977	1982	1987	1992	1997
Main cause
0 to 59 years	13	2	1	3	4
60 to 74 years	1	6	1	1	3
75 to 84 years	0	5	1	3	3
85 or more years	0	4	0	1	1
All ages	14	17	3	8	11
Contributory cause
0 to 59 years	0	0	6	0	8
60 to 74 years	0	0	3	2	2
75 to 84 years	0	0	4	4	2
85 or more years	0	0	3	0	1
All ages	0	0	16	6	13
All causes
0 to 59 years	13	2	7	3	12
60 to 74 years	1	6	4	3	5
75 to 84 years	0	5	5	7	5
85 or more years	0	4	3	1	2
All ages	14	17	19	14	24

(19) Deaths shown have been coded as ICD code 991--Deaths due to effects of reduced temperature

13 Apr 1999 : Column: 142

Table 3: A comparison of winter and non-winter mortality rates (all causes) Rates per 1,000 population

	Year (20)(21)
Mortality rates	1977-78	1982-83	1987-88	1992-93	1997-98 (22)(23)
Winter mortality
0 to 59 years	2.9	2.4	2.0	1.6	1.5
60 to 74 years	36.2	34.4	31.6	25.9	22.8
75 to 84 years	104.8	102.0	91.1	77.6	74.9
85 or more years	252.5	246.8	233.9	189.0	208.4
All ages	12.2	12.0	11.2	9.7	9.7
Non winter mortality
0 to 59 years	2.6	2.1	2.0	1.6	1.5
60 to 74 years	29.3	29.0	26.6	25.1	20.7
75 to 84 years	85.8	80.8	74.6	73.2	65.3
85 or more years	195.5	172.9	192.6	182.2	178.3
All ages	10.1	9.7	9.6	9.4	8.7
Percentage increase from non winter to winter rates (24)
0 to 59 years	11	14	2	-0	-1
60 to 74 years	24	19	19	3	10
75 to 84 years	22	26	22	6	15
85 or more years	29	43	21	4	17
All ages	21	24	17	4	12

(20) Year incorporates December of year 1 and January to November of year 2. For example, 1997-98 incorporates December of 1997 and January to November of 1998.

(21) Winter months assumed to be December--March.

(22) 1998 deaths figures are provisional.

(23) 1998 population projection used as denominator for rate calculation as 1998 mid-year population estimate will not be available until June of 1999.

(24) The rounded percentages shown have been calculated using unrounded rates.

13 Apr 1999 : Column: 143

13 Apr 1999 : Column: 143

Eurozone

Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the impact of the eurozone on inward investment to Northern Ireland. [79400]

Mr. Ingram: The lead-time associated with securing inward investment is usually quite lengthy; therefore, it is too early to assess the impact that the introduction of the euro has had on investment.

The Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland will continue to monitor the flows of inward investment to try to assess the impact, if any, of the introduction of the euro.

Peace Process

Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the role of community groups in facilitating the peace process. [79399]

Mr. McFall: The Good Friday Agreement recognises and values the work done by voluntary organisations to develop reconciliation and mutual understanding between and within communities. This work has a vital role in consolidating peace and political agreement. Furthermore, the District Partnerships, established with significant community sector participation as a delivery mechanism for the European Union Special Support Programme for

13 Apr 1999 : Column: 144

Peace and Reconciliation, have harnessed the talents and energies of local people to achieve common goals. This has helped to underpin the peace process at local level.

Paramilitary Violence

Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will list for the week ended 27 March the number of (1) punishment beatings and (2) punishment shootings which took place in Northern Ireland indicating how many in each category were committed by (a) Loyalist and (b) Republican groups; [79709]

(2) if she will list for the week ended 27 March the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [79708]

Mr. Ingram: The numbers of security incidents during the period 21 March-27 March 1999 are as shown:

Shooting incidents: 3

Bombing incidents: 3.

The numbers of casualties as a result of paramilitary- style attacks during the period are as follows:

	Loyalist	Republican
Assaults	6	nil
Shootings	nil	1
Total	6	1

Notes:

1. Figures may be subject to minor amendment.

2. The shooting and bombing incidents cannot as yet be firmly attributed to a grouping.

13 Apr 1999 : Column: 145

Green Belts

Mr. Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the green belt land in each local authority area. [79842]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 13 April 1999:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about a list of green belt land in Northern Ireland.

The Planning Service, an Agency within the Department of the Environment, is the sole planning authority in Northern Ireland. The Department's policy on green belts is set out in Policy GB/CPA 1 of the publication entitled "A Planning Strategy for Rural Northern Ireland", a copy of which is available in the Library. There is no separate list of green belt land in Northern Ireland, as green belts around cities, towns and villages are designated by reference to the maps that accompany the Department's Development Plans covering district council areas.

If, however, the Hon Member would find it helpful, further details can be provided on green belt land at specific locations.

---