§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of elderly persons in Great Britain and in each English region (a) between pensionable age and 75 years and (6) 75 years or over was living alone in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Dr. OwenIn the 1971 Census, 26.1 per cent. of persons of pensionable age who were in private households in Great Britain were usually resident in one-person households. For those aged under 75 and those 75 and over the proportions were 22.8 per cent. and 35 per cent. respectively. Corresponding figures for the regions of England are not available.
Figures are, however, available which relate to "enumerated population". These are based on the place of residence of people on census night as distinct from their normal residence. On this basis, the proportion of all persons of pensionable age in private households who were enumerated in one person households was as follows:
Per cent. Great Britain … 24.2 Standard Regions of England: … North … 25.4 Yorkshire and Humberside … 26.9 North West … 25.8 East Midlands … 24.2 West Midlands … 23.3 East Anglia … 23.0 South East … 23.7 South West … 21.5 No information is available on the corresponding proportions in the different age groups.