§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of elderly people currently being cared for (a) in local authority homes, (b) in hospitals and (c) in private old people's homes.
§ Mr. MoyleInformation in the form requested is not available. In England and Wales, at 31 March 1977, people aged 65 and over in local authority homes numbered 108,000 and in private homes 24,000. At 31 December 1976 there were 50,300 in mental illness and mental handicap hospitals and the average number of beds used daily in all non-psychiatric departments by this age group in 1976 was 99,900.
§ Mr. Grocottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the standard of accommodation, nursing and medical care available to people in private homes for the elderly; whether he is satisfied with the regulatory powers at his disposal over such homes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoylePrivate residential accommodation for the elderly is subject to registration and inspection by the local authority for the area in which it is situated. These arrangements are at present under review.