HC Deb 07 June 1985 vol 80 cc284-5W
Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to his reply of 15 May, Official Report, column 162, of his latest estimate of the numbers of single men and women, how many and what percentage of the men and of the women, respectively, are widowers and widows; and how many and what percentage of those who are and who are not widows and widowers, respectively, he estimates are single-parent families or otherwise have the care of children.

Mr. John Patten

My reply on 15 May to the hon. member referred only to those single persons who had never been married and therefore the information requested in his current question is not available. However, the information given in the table may be of interest.

Estimated resident population aged 16 and over in the United Kingdom: 30 June 1983
Marital Status Numbers
Males 21,230,000
Single (Never married) 6,170,000
Married 13,530,000
Divorced 770,000
Widowed 760,000
Females 23,070,000
Single (Never married) 5,090,000
Married 13,630,000
Divorced 1,050,000
Widowed 3,300,000