HC Deb 09 June 1980 vol 986 cc34-5W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures available of the total number of people in Wales over the age of 65 years ; and what increase he anticipates between 1976 and 1986.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The precise information requested is not available on the basis of recent calculations, but the 1978 mid-year estimate of the population aged 65 and over was 417,200. The 1978-based population projections anticipate an increase of 38,500 between 1976 and 1986.

Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures of the population in Wales over the age of 85 years ; and what increase he anticipates between 1976 and 1986 in this age group.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The precise information requested is not available on the basis of recent calculations, but the 1978 mid-year estimate of the population aged 85 and over was 27,700. The 1978-based population projections anticipate an increase of 7,600 between 1976 and 1986.

Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the extra hospital places needed by the increase in the population in Wales, for persons, both over 65 and 85 years expected up to the year 1986 ; and what is the estimated cost of meeting such provision.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Health authorities estimate the hospital places needed in their areas, but apart from facilities for geriatric patients and the elderly mentally infirm, numbers of places are not separately identified for persons aged over 65.