§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many telephones have been installed free for persons in need in England and Wales under the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act in each year, respectively, since the Act came into force;
(2) how many telephones have been installed free for those in need in England and Wales by social work departments of local authorities in each of the last three years, respectively.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisFigures so far available are for the year ending 31st March 1973 only and do not distinguish between telephones provided free or where a charge was made The number of households in England where assistance was given under either Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 or Section 45 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 with the installation of a telephone or attachment was 17,470. I understand from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales that the equivalent figure for Wales was 1,057.
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