§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked 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 FinsbergThe 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 population† covered by private health schemes 0.24 1.89 3.57 6.39 7.28 Notes:
* Estimated figures.
261W† Except for the 1981 estimated figures, this information is derived from "Provident Scheme Statistics 1980" produced by Lee Donaldson Associates.