asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) to what he attributes the high infant mortality rate in Lanarkshire in 1977; what action has been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement:(2) to what he attributes the high infant mortality rate in Greater Glasgow in 1977; what action has been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(3) to what he attributes the high perinatal mortality rate in Lanarkshire in 1977; what action has been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(4) to what he attributes the high perinatal mortality rate in the Western Isles in 1977; what action has been taken to reduce it; and if he will make a statement;(5) to what he attributes the low infant mortality rate in the Borders in 1977; what lessons he has drawn for national application: and if he will make a statement;(6) to what he attributes the low perinatal mortality rate in Fife in 1977; what lessons he has drawn for national application; and if he will make a statement.
Perinatal and infant mortality rates for 1977 are available at present on a provisional basis only; final figures will be published later this year in the report of the Registrar General for Scotland.Nevertheless, the provisional rates referred to in these Questions do reflect long-standing differences between areas in Scotland.There has been a marked reduction in perinatal and infant mortality in Scotland in the past few years, but I remain concerned that rates in certain areas remain high. Measures to improve living and other environmental conditions are central to the problem. The priorities which I have indicated to health boards for the period up to 1980 include aspects of preventive and primary care which are of special importance in reducing these mortality rates.The findings of a confidential inquiry into perinatal deaths in Scotland in 1977, which has been financed by my Department, should be available about the end of 1978 and should provide new information which will be of value in the design and provision of future services.