HC Deb 20 May 2002 vol 386 c152W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children are in care. [56152]

Jacqui Smith

The number of children who were looked after by local councils in England at 31 March 2001 was 58,900.

This figure excludes children looked after under an agreed series of short term placements.

Source: DH Annual publication—Children Looked After by Local Authorities, year ending 31 March 2001, England