HC Deb 05 April 1976 vol 909 cc63-4W
Mrs. Chalker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what proportion and amount of personal social service expenditure in 1974–75 was in respect of those persons aged 65 years and over;

(2) what proportion and amount of personal social service expenditure in 1974–75 was in respect of those persons aged 75 years and over.

Dr. Owen

The latest figures available are those for the financial year 1973–74. in that year, local authority social services departments in England incurred capital and current expenditure of some £280 million, at November 1974 prices, or services used mainly by the elderly. This represented some 46 per cent. of all expenditure incurred by those authorities in that year. I regret that it is not possible to give separate figures for expenditure on those over 65 or over 75.

Mrs. Chalker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion and amount of national insurance outgoings in 1974–75 was in respect of persons aged 65 years and over; and what proportion and amount was in respect of persons aged 75 years and over.

Mr. Meacher

National insurance benefit expenditure in 1974–75 to persons aged 65 years and over amounted to 65 per cent. of total benefit expenditure at a cost of £3,320 million. The corresponding figures for those aged 75 years and over are 24 per cent. and £1,230 million respectively.

Mrs. Chalker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what number of National Health Service beds are occupied daily by persons aged 75 years and over; and what cost this represents (a) in total per annum (b) per person per annum and (c) as a percentage of total National Health Service bed costs;

(2) what number of National Health Service beds are occupied daily by persons aged 65 years and over; and what cost this represents (a) annually in total (b) per person annually and (c) as a percentage of total National Health Service bed costs.

Dr. Owen

In 1973—the latest year for which figures are available—the average daily number of NHS beds in England and Wales occupied by persons aged 65 years and over, and 75 years and over, was estimated to be 147,500 and 84,100 respectively. Information on costs relating to these beds is not available in the form requested.