§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of those handicapped by a chronic illness or 209W a permanent disability in England and Wales, and Cornwall, respectively, is (a) under 21 years, (b) 21–60 years, (c) 60–75 years, and (d) over 75 years.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisInformation is not available in the form requested, but percentages of those age groups registered by local authorities at 31st March 1975, the latest date for which figures are available, are shown below. Comparable figures in respect of 1975–76 should be available in January 1977. Although numbers of people on local authority registers have more than doubled since the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 became law, registers do not include all handicapped people.
Under 16 16–64 65+ England and Wales Blind … 2 25 73 Partially sighted … 6 27 67 Deaf and hard of hearing … 8 48 44 General classes … 2 38 60 TOTAL … 3 36 61 Cornwall Blind … 2 22 76 Partially sighted … 4 25 71 Deaf and hard of hearing … 4 42 54 General classes … 2 34 64 TOTAL … 2 33 65
§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of those handicapped by a chronic illness or a permanent disability in England and Wales, and Cornwall, respectively (a) live alone, (b) have no hot water, (c) no inside WC, (d) no fixed bath, or (e) no refrigerator; and what percentage do not live in warden-supervised accommodation.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAs far as facilities in the home are concerned, statistics derived from the 1971 census, which is the only relevant source of information, do not distinguish between disabled and able-bodied people. We do not collect information about residents of sheltered housing because of the difficulty of definition of the accommodation. I am, however, in touch with ministerial colleagues
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Ambulance Type Number Year Replacement Due 2-berth … … 7 1975(2) — 1973(2) — 1972(1) — 1971(1) — 1969(1) May 1977 Minibus … … 1 1970 May 1977 (to be replaced by a 1-berth type) Limousine … … 1 1974 — about the possibility of doing so in the future.
As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, if disabled people need special provision it is generally preferable for them to live in "mobility" or "wheelchair" housing rather than warden-supervised accommodation.