§ 63. Mr. LEEasked the Minister of Health the number of blind persons in England, Scotland and Wales; how many of these are between the ages of 50 and 70 years and receiving State pensions; how many councils, county or borough, have established workshops for the blind in their area; and how many persons are being trained or being found work therein?
§ Sir K. WOODAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the reply:
§ The number of blind persons in England and Wales on 31st March, 1925, was returned as 42,140. Of these, 15,048 were between the ages of 50 and 70, of whom 705 12,872 were on 30th September last in receipt of pensions under Section 1 of the Blind Persons Act, 1920. Only three local authorities in England and Wales have found it necessary to establish workshops under this Act, providing employment for 22 blind persons, while the remainder of the local authorities contribute towards the workshops established by voluntary agencies, which provide employment for 2,200 blind persons. Any questions relating to Scotland should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.