HC Deb 24 May 1974 vol 874 cc344-5W
Mr. Fred Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish statistics of the progress made by each local authority in implementing Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rowlands

The numbers of handicapped people registered by local authorities as at 31st March 1973 were as follows:

Anglesey CC 727
Breconshire CC 569
Caernarvonshire CC 1,817
Cardiganshire CC 742
Carmarthenshire CC 2,022
Denbighshire CC 1,520
Flintshire CC 1,004
Glamorgan CC 7,214
Merioneth CC 439
Monmouthshire CC 2,697
Montgomeryshire CC 265
Pembrokeshire CC 623
Radnorshire CC 184
Cardiff CBC 1,291
Merthyr Tydfil CBC 420
Newport CBC 950
Swansea CBC 884
23,368

These figures, which show an overall increase of 18 per cent. over the number registered as at 31st March 1972, give an indication of the progress being made in identifying the numbers of handicapped. Compilation of the returns for the year ended 31st March 1974 has not yet been completed, but initial assessment indicates further material progress.