HC Deb 17 November 1982 vol 32 cc198-9W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of people suffering from senile dementia in each of the last 20 years.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

I am unable to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, South on 2 December 1981.—[Vol. 14, c. 21.] On the basis of surveys in this and other countries, we estimate that there are likely to he some half million people aged 65 and over in England who could be diagnosed as having moderate or severe dementia. Information relating to trends over the last 20 years is not available.