§ 98. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Health how many chronic sick and aged over 65 years of age, men and women, separately, are at present in institutions; how many are requiring help in other ways; what is the estimated number in five and 10 years; and what steps are being taken to make suitable arrangements for their maintenance.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIn addition to about 46,000 chronic sick in hospitals on 1st January, 1951, there were 22.113 aged or infirm men and 20,306 aged or infirm women in accommodation provided under Part III of the National Assistance Act in England and Wales. No figures are available of persons over 65 requiring other forms of help. As regards future estimates, I would refer the hon. Member to the Report of the Roy al Commission on Population of 1949. All local authorities were required to estimate the long-term residential provision needed for old people and their proposals for meeting this need in the schemes provided under Section 21 of the National Assistance Act.