HC Deb 05 February 1975 vol 885 c565W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what the population of Bedfordshire was in 1950, 1960 and 1970; what it is likely to be in 1975; and what the future trend is expected to be.

Mr. Alec Jones

The available estimates are as follows:

1950 312,500
1960 360,100
1970 457,000
1973 481,050
(the latest available year)

The Registrar-Generals' Department has not made any population projections for Bedfordshire

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the child population in Bedford in 1950, 1960 and 1970; what the projection of these figures is for 1975, 1980 and 1985; and how this compares with the national trend.

Mr. Alec Jones

Estimates are not available for the years stated. However, the numbers of children, under 15, in the pre-1st April 1974 area of Bedford MB and the post-1st April 1974 district of Bedford as enumerated in the census of population were as follows:

Year Bedford MB District of Bedford
1951 11,195 19,182
1961 15,004 25,146
1971 19,305 32,440

The Registrar General's Department has not made any population projections for Bedford.