HC Deb 14 November 1979 vol 973 c641W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many 1978 births were to single unsupported women; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Vaughan

The information requested is not available. Information from birth registration on illegitimate births includes cases where the mother was either single, married to someone other than the father, widowed or divorced. The figures for England and Wales for 1978 are:—

Illegitimate live-births Illegitimate still-births
Total 60,637 699

We have no information on how many of the fathers were supporting the mother or child.