HC Deb 18 December 2002 vol 396 cc873-5W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the number of children in residential care and (b) the total number of staff in residential care establishments for children on 1 June in each of the years since 1997 [80474]

Jacqui Smith

Information about the numbers of looked after children placed in residential placements is shown in the table. This includes children looked after in local authority children's homes and in residential accommodation provided by voluntary and private sector organisations.

Children looked after in residential placements at 31 March 1997 to 2001
Number of looked after children in residential placements Total looked after children
1997 6,600 51,200
1998 6,700 53,300
1999 6,600 55,500
2000 7.000 58,100
2001 6,800 58,900

Notes:

1. Data exclude children being looked after under any agreed series of short-term placements.

2. Residential placements include children's homes and hostels and secure units.

3. It excludes residential schools.

Source:

Department of Health Form—CLA 100.

Information about the numbers of staff employed in residential care establishments for children is not available as at 1 June. The table shows the whole time equivalent (wte) number of staff employed by local authorities in England in residential care establishments for children as at 30 September, for each year from 1997 to 2001 (the latest year for which data are available). Similar information is not available about the numbers of staff employed by the independent sector.

Number employed (wte)
1997 13,300
1998 12,900
1999 12,400
2000 12,100
2001 11,900

Source:

Form SSDS001.

Mr. Paterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs retired(a) early and (b) due to ill-health in each year since 1977; and how many left the profession in each year. [84495]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 2 December 2002]: Data in the format requested is not readily available. The number of principal and assistant general medical and ophthalmic practitioners in England and Wales who have received a retirement pension before age 60 and on the grounds of ill-health in each of the financial years 1985 to 2002 is shown in the table.

General Medical and Ophthalmic Practitioner Retirements
Year Before 60 III-health only Total
1985 25 100 125
1986 29 112 141
1987 59 92 151
1988 30 109 139
1989 31 118 149
1990 43 136 179
1991 57 163 220
1992 53 143 196
1993 70 161 231
1994 54 168 222
1995 82 180 262
1996 156 206 362

Leavers
October October October October September September Total
1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999 September 2000 2000–01 2001 March 2002
1,058 1,040 1,030 1,090 1,313 687 6,218

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