§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications were received by local authorities for the installation of telephones in the homes of elderly or disabled persons in the last five years for which records are available.
§ Mr. RossiInformation on the number of applications is not available centrally. The number of telephone installations for elderly or disabled people arranged by local authorities in England and Wales for the years requested was as follows:
Year ending 31 March 1978 13,947 1979 16,884 1980 12,941 1981 8,949 1982 9,391
§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many elderly or disabled persons in the United Kingdom live alone; and how many of these have no telephone in their home.
§ Mr. RossiThe 1981 census of population indicated that 2,770,670 people aged 60 and over lived alone in Great Britain. Data from the 1981 general household survey suggests that of the 12,000 responding households comprising one adult aged 60 or over, 56 per cent. had a telephone. Similar information is not available for disabled people under 60.
§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received representations from local authorities in the last five years requesting further guidance as to the requirements for local authority assistance with the installation of telephones in the homes of elderly or disabled persons; and if he will make a statement.