HC Deb 15 June 1998 vol 314 c92W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were in care in England and Wales on 1 June. [45446]

Mr. Boateng

There were 51,200 children looked after in England at 31 March 1996, which is the latest date for which such statistics are available. Figures for the year ending 31 March 1997 are due to be published in July 1998. Figures for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.