§ Dr. David Owenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the 1966 estimates, or forecasts, of the population of the Greater London Council area in the years 1961, 1964, 1966 and 1981; what are the present estimates, or forecasts, for the same years, including also 1969; what is the analysis of the change in population between 1964 and
1. POPULATION OF THE GREATER LONDON AREA Thousands Mid-year estimates Current in year 1961 1964 1966 1969 Projection to 1981 1966 … … … … 7,985 7,986 7,914* — 8,015† 1969 … … … … 7,977 7,936 7,832 7,703 7,265‡ * This only became available in early 1967. † 1964-based projections. ‡ 1969-based projections. The 1969 estimates and projections are revised in the light of information which became avail between 1964 and 1969.
2. PROJECTED CHANGE IN THE POPULATION OF THE GREATER LONDON AREA TO 1981 Thousands 1964-based projection 1964 to 1969 estimated change 1969-based projection Natural increase … … … … +1,029 +241 +522 Net migration … … … … -1,000 -474 -960 (planned overspill) … … … … (-660) (-110) Projections for sub-divisions in general are much more sensitive than national or regional projections to changes and developments in policies on planned overspill and new towns and to land-use planning decisions of all kinds. They must, therefore, be regarded as essentially tentative and subject to substantial revision on that account alone. The net migration assumption for Greater London is particularly uncertain, pending the results of the inquiry into the Greater London Development Plan and consequent decisions by the Government and the Greater London Council. No specific assumption about planned overspill as compared with other movements was made for the 1969-based projection.