HC Deb 26 November 1981 vol 13 cc458-9W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many female alcoholics it is estimated there are; and what are the estimated figures for each of the previous five years.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

We cannot tell precisely as there are difficulties in definition. However, an OPCS survey "Drinking in England and Wales" carried out in 1978 found that about 2 per cent. of women in the survey had drinking problems compared with 5 per cent. of men.