§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is his estimate of the number of children in Northern Ireland who are totally blind;
(2) what is his estimate of the number of adults in Northern Ireland who are totally blind.
§ Mr. Carter:On 31st December 1976 a total of 2,910 persons were registered with health and social services boards as blind. This figure includes both children and adults. Registration is not necessarily an indication of total blindness since all but a small proportion of registered blind persons are able to distinguish light from dark. Separate figures for those who are totally blind are not available.