§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate his Department has made of the number of people over 70 years of age who, by the year 2000, will be in need of care in residential accommodation; and what is his policy for ensuring that the necessary information on the number of elderly people requiring such care is available to local authorities with sufficient lead time, so as to enable them to plan ahead and to provide the necessary financial resources.
§ Mr. MoyleAlthough population projections are important, assessment of requirements for residential care by the year 2000 will need to be made nearer the time in the context of the development of a co-ordinated pattern of provision for the elderly by social services, health and housing authorities and the likely availability of family and community support. Centrally prepared population projections to the 1990s and beyond are to be provided regularly to local authorities to assist them in assessing the services they need to provide for the elderly in the light of local circumstances. My Department will continue to provide such other guidance as may be required from time to time to assist 815W field authorities in developing their services effectively.