§ Diana OrganTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered blind people there are in the United Kingdom; and how many have assistance animals. [1725]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department receives returns from all local authorities in England on the numbers of blind and partially sighted people registered with local authority social services departments. The latest figures for the year ending 31 March 2000 show 157,820 registered blind people in England.
There are 4,763 blind and partially sighted people in the United Kingdom who are guide dog owners. Each year 700 people receive training for new or replacement guide dogs. It is not known how many of these people are registered blind.
Data for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for the devolved Assemblies.