HC Deb 20 November 1974 vol 881 c444W
Mr. Emery

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will show the number of people living in homes administered by registered charities analysed as to those who are (a) pensioners, (b) disabled adults, (c) disabled children, and (d) orphans and dispossessed children.

Dr. Owen

I regret that information in the form requested by the hon. Member is not available. The following figures for England at 31st March 1973 may be helpful1. Number of persons resident in voluntary homes for the elderly and disabled (the homes having been registered with the appropriate local authority under Sections 37–40 of the National Assistance Act 1948):

Total 28,046
Aged under 65 4,628
Aged 65 and over 23,418
2. Number of persons resident in voluntary homes for the mentally ill and the mentally handicapped (the homes having been registered with the appropriate local authority under Sections 19–21 of the Mental Health Act 1959):
Total 2,379
Aged under 16 386
Aged 16 to 64 1,679
Aged 65 and over 314
3. Number of children cared for in voluntary homes registered by the Secretary of State under Section 29 of the Children Act 1948: 8,002 A child for these purposes is a person under 18 and any person who has attained that age and is the subject of a care order within the meaning of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969.

Many of the voluntary organisations running these homes may also be charities registered under the Charities Act 1960.