§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of persons who will be registered as handicapped with a local authority on 31st March 1978 and 31st March 1979, respectively.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisLocal authority registers have been substantially revised as a result of implementation of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 and the reorganisation of local authorities in 1974. Owing to the short time that has elapsed since this revision, I regret that it is not yet possible to make forecasts in respect of future years based on trends.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many handicapped people were: (a) on the registers of local authorities, and (b) newly registered, in each of the last 15 years.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe table below gives the total numbers on all local authority registers of handicapped people, and the additions to all registers from 1966. the earliest date for which information is available.
Date Number on Registers of handicapped Additions to registers in previous year 31st December— 1966 310,000 51,000 1976 334,000 57,000 1968 355,000 59,000 1969 377,000 60,000 1970 405,000 67,000 31st March— 1972 475,000 96,000 1973 578,000 137,000 1974 679,000 144,000 1975 766,000 159,000 1976 854,000 158,000 All figures are for England.