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Deaths registered in 1961 numbered 1,111 (16.41 per 1,000) compared with 1,090 (15.65 per 1,000)
in 1960. The rate of 16.41 when standardized by the comparability factor gives a figure of 12.14 ;
the standardised rates for the County of London and for England and Wales were 11.9 and 12.0
respectively.
The principal causes of death continued to be diseases of the heart and circulatory system, which
accounted for 31 per cent. of the total; malignant diseases, 21 per cent.; and respiratory diseases,
including tuberculosis, 12 per cent. Deaths from lung cancer, compared with the previous year,
rose from 48 to 53. Nine deaths were attributed to influenza. Seventy-two per cent. of the deaths
registered were of persons aged 65 and over, whilst 22 per cent. were between 45 and 65 years.
Accidental Deaths.
During the year, 16 residents died from accidents of all kinds, eight less than last year. Motor
vehicle accidents accounted for four deaths as compared with eight in 1960.
Road Accidents.
The St. Marylebone Road Safety Committee, which was set up in 1946 to advise the Council as to
the activities which should be undertaken locally in an effort to secure a reduction in the number of
accidents occurring on the roads, consists of members of the Council and representatives of outside
organisations with interests in this field of local government activity.
In April, 1961, a Road Safety Officer was appointed. His duties include acting as a liaison between
the Council and local organisations with whom he must have a close personal contact. This is of
inestimable value in ensuring that the road safety message is fully brought home to those to whom
particular propaganda is directed. Three matters, however, required his immediate attention :
(i) active participation in the National Proficiency Scheme for Child Cyclists which is particularly
commended by the Minister of Transport; (ii) the arrangement of visits to RoSPA House, to which
the Borough Council contributes £360 per annum, by school children, youth clubs and other local
organisations ; (iii) regular visits to Old People's Clubs.
Local road accident figures show a slight decrease on the previous year (1,053), there having been
1,027 such accidents in the Borough, resulting in 3 (10) deaths, 156 (149) serious injuries and 1,127
(1,174) slight injuries. The figures in brackets relate to 1960 and a summary of the accidents in
1961 is given in Table 4, page 34.
Births.
The total of live births registered during the year was 758 (380 males: 378 females) giving a live
birth rate of 11.20 per 1,000 of population, equivalent to a standardized rate of 8.85, the comparable
figure for the County of London being 18.9 and for England and Wales 17.4.
Illegitimate live births numbered 91 (48 males: 43 females), representing 12.00 per cent. of the
total live births, compared with 12.7 per cent for the County of London.
Still-births totalled 15, representing a rate of 19.40 per 1,000 total births compared with 18.0 for
the County of London.
Infant Mortality.
Deaths of infants under one year totalled 20 (18 legitimate: 2 illegitimate), giving a rate of 26.39
per 1,000 live births as compared with 26.99 in 1960. The rate for England and Wales is 21.6 per
1,000, and 21.5 for the County of London.
Details showing causes of death according to age group and sex are given in Table 2, page 32.
Of the 20 infant deaths 15 were under four weeks old, giving a neo-natal mortality rate of 19.79 per
1,000 live births as compared with 24.29 in 1960. The neo-natal mortality rate for England and
Wales is 15.5, and 16.0 for the County of London.
Maternal Mortality.
One maternal death was reported during the year. This was of a married woman aged 34 years
who died in hospital, the cause of death being given as congestive cardiac failure.
Weather.
The following summary of the weather during 1961, and Table 3, page 33, is based upon
information supplied by the Meteorological Office:—