§ 61. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the rapidly growing number of elderly people suffering from chronic sickness; and if he will cause a census to be made in the country to ascertain the extent of this problem and devise some means of dealing with it in addition to those which already exist.
§ Mr. BarberWith the increase in the number of elderly persons in the popula-126W tion, there is a greater need for health and welfare services for elderly persons generally, including those suffering from chronic sickness. These needs are well appreciated and underlie the plans for the development of the hospital and health and welfare services. The extent of the provision necessary must, however, be established locally and I do not think a national census would be the best way of assessing the problem.