§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many permanently and substantially handicapped people were newly registered by local authorities in the years ended 31st December 1970, 31st March 1972, 31st March 1973 and 31st March 1974, respectively; and what is her estimate of the numbers newly registered in the three months 1st January to 31st March 1975 and in the year ended 31st March 1975.
§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her estimate of the number of permanently and substantially handicapped people identified by local authorities in each of the last five years in each instance, what is the percentage increase on the previous year; what is her estimate of the number of people who become newly eligible for registration each year; and if the present rate of increase in identification were maintained nationally, how long she estimates it will be before the backlog in identifying the "missing million" will be overcome.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will give her best estimate of the total number of permanently and substantially handicapped people who have been identified under Section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act since 29th May 1970 and if she will make a statement on further progress towards full identification of everyone who is entitled to help under the Act.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe available figures for local authorities in England are shown below. They relate to the numbers of persons added to the registers of physically handicapped persons658W and include the visually and hearing impaired.
Twelve months ended New registrations Percentage increase 31st December 1969 60,000 — 31st December 1970 67,000 12 31st March 1972 96,000 44 31st March 1973 137,000 42 31st March 1974 144,000 5 Figures for the 12 months ending 31st March 1975 will not be available until the autumn. Separate figures are not available for the number of persons who may have been identified but whose names have not been added to the registers. I regret that I am not in possession of the necessary information to enable me to formulate reliable estimates of the numbers of persons annually becoming eligible for registration.
As regards progress with implementing Section 1(1) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, I cannot add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Moonman) on 21st May.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information she has on the implementation of Section 1(2)(b) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 by local authorities; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI have no comprehensive and detailed information centrally available which specifically relates to the implementation of this provision of the Act. The requirement can be met in a variety of ways, notably in the course of on-going contacts between handicapped people and staff of social services departments. My Department's booklet "Help for Handicapped People" was designed to assist local authorities in the discharge of this responsibility. As previously announced, the booklet is being revised and the new edition will be available in a few months' time.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if her Department would be willing to prescribe page turners for severely handicapped people for employment, educational and recreational purposes.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThese devices may be provided by the Employment Services 659W Agency of the Department of Employment, or by local education authorities, or by local authority social service departments according to the circumstances of the individual case and the main purpose for which the device is required. They do not normally fall to be provided as part of medical treatment and care.