§ 39 and 40. Mr. Gowerasked the Minis-of Health (1) how many blind or partially blind persons there were in Wales at the latest convenient date; what were the comparable figures in 1945 and 1950, respectively; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many blind or partially blind persons there were in England at the latest convenient date; what were the comparable figures in 1945 and 1950, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithAs the Answer contains a number of figures, I will circulate a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT. There has been an increase in the number of registered blind in recent years due almost wholly to increases in the age group of 70 and over. As the number and proportion of the aged in the general population will continue to increase for a number of years, it is to be expected that the number of registered blind persons also will continue to increase.
§ Mr. GowerIs it not strange that there should also be some increase in the lower age groups, in view of the fact that there has been an improvement in the lighting of houses, in the printing of books and papers, and in the facilities for the inspection of eyes in youth?
§ Following are the figures:
977§ 41. Mr. Gowerasked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement concerning the incidence of blindness and partial blindness among children and young people in England and Wales, respectively, in recent years.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThere has been some increase in the numbers registered as blind in early childhood in recent years. There is reason to believe that the peak has now been passed. Incidence in Wales follows the same pattern as England.