§ Mr. SimsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were registered blind and partially sighted in each year since 1985; and what figures are projected for registration in(a) five and (b) 10 years time.
§ Mr. BowisThe information held centrally is shown in the table. The Department has not made projections for future registrations.
Number of people registered as blind and partially sighted as at 31 March 1986–91, England 1986 1988 1991 Total registered as at 31 March Blind 120,548 126,828 136,195 Partially sighted 71,104 79,048 93,777 New registrations in year ending 31 March Blind 12,026 13,901 13,629 Partially sighted 10,466 12,014 13,639 Source: DH Return SSDA902.