To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths, where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death, took place in each (a) region and (b) parliamentary constituency of Scotland in 1997, 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 in each of those areas 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 in each area compared to non-winter deaths in 1997–98. [72593]

[holding answer 1 March 1999]: The information requested is presented in the following tables.There is no universally recognised definition of winter mortality. The information presented in the second table is based on a formula that has been used in recent years by the Office for National Statistics when presenting data for England and Wales. This defines 'excess' winter deaths as the difference between the number of deaths during the four months December to March and the average number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) and the following four months (April to July). A negative figure occurs when the average non-winter deaths exceed the winter deaths. As this is a crude measure of the increase in mortality associated with winter conditions the numbers of excess deaths have been rounded to the nearest ten.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths, where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death, took place in Scotland 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, respectively. [72594]

[holding answer 1 March 1999]: The information requested in presented in the following tables.There is no universally recognised definition of winter mortality. The information presented in the second table is based on a formula that has been used in recent years by the Office for National Statistics when presenting data for England and Wales. This defines 'excess' winter deaths as the difference between the number of deaths during the four months December to March and the average number of deaths during the preceding four months (August to November) and the following four months (April to July). As this is a crude measure of the increase in mortality associated with winter conditions the numbers of excess deaths have been rounded to the nearest ten.