HC Deb 18 December 1970 vol 808 c506W
Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of severely sub-normal and of the number of multi-handicapped under and over 16 years of age in the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board area and nationally, respectively; and what action is being taken prior to April, 1971, to provide adult and other training centres and day care in the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board area and nationally.

Mr. Alison

Prevalence surveys elsewhere in England suggest that the approximate numbers of severely subnormal may be as follows:

Sheffield R.H.B. area England
Age 0–16 4,750 47,000
Over 16 6,650 66,000

Corresponding estimates are not available for the multi-handicapped. The approximate numbers of places providing day care for the mentally handicapped of and above school age living in the community which are in use at present, under construction or included in plans to April, 1971, are:

Sheffield R.H.B. area
Under 16 Over 16
Local authority adult and other training centre places 2,803 3,322
Day hospital places 12 21
England
Under 16 Over 16
Local authority adult and other training centre places 19,227 32,944
Day hospital places 210 450