§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many persons were registered as disabled on 31 December 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987; and how many of those aged between 16 and 65 years were(a) in full-time employment, (b) in part-time employment,(c) registered as unemployed and (d) known to the Department not to be in employment;
(2) how many persons registered as disabled, but not in employment, were in receipt of (a) unemployment benefit, (b) sickness and invalidity benefit, (c) supplementary benefit and (d) free prescriptions on each of 31 December 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987.
§ Mr. ScottThe available information on the numbers of persons registered as disabled with local authorities in England (for the years specified) is set out in the table. I regret that the remaining information requested is not collected centrally. Figures for the rest of Great Britain are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
Number of persons with disabilities registered with local authority social services departments (England) Type of disability Year1 All persons Persons aged 16–64 years Physically disabled (general classes) 1984 1,107,708 370,386 Blind or partially sighted 1986 191,652 41,304 Deaf or hard of hearing 1986 97,431 33,149 1 All figures as at 31 March.
§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost to his Department of giving free prescriptions for persons registered as disabled but who do not qualify under the present regulations.
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§ Mr. NewtonThe information needed to make a reliable estimate is not available.