HC Deb 11 November 1982 vol 31 cc260-1W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the size of the total population and what percentage was covered by a private health scheme in 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1981 and at the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

The information is set out in the table below:

1950 1960 1970 1980 *1981
Total Population (United Kingdom)
50,655,000 52,559,000 55,522,000 56,010,000 56,290,000
Percentage of populationcovered by private health schemes
0.24 1.89 3.57 6.39 7.28

Notes:

* Estimated figures.

† Except for the 1981 estimated figures, this information is derived from "Provident Scheme Statistics 1980" produced by Lee Donaldson Associates.