§ Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what number of children were in care in England and Wales for each year since 1978; and what proportion they were of the total number of children in England and Wales for each year since 1978.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe numbers of children in care in England and Wales and the proportion of the population aged under 18 years for each year 1978–84 are given in "Children in Care in England and Wales", published annually, copies of which are available in the Library. Figures for 31 March 1985 show that the numbers and proportion aged under 18 years have continued to fall to 72,800 and 6.1 per 1,000 respectively. Figures for 1986 are not yet available.