HC Deb 25 November 2002 vol 395 c134W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of hours was an individual in(a) England and (b) Wales received domiciliary care in (i) May 1997 and (ii) the last month for which figures are available. [82496]

Jacqui Smith

The number of hours of home care is collected for households, not individuals. The average number of hours of home care received by a household in England was 5.4 hours in September 1997 and 7.6 hours in September 2001. Corresponding data for 2002 are not yet available.

Information on the number of people receiving home care in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly. for Wales.

Mr. Burns:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in(a) England and (b) Wales were receiving domiciliary care in (i) May 1997 and (ii) the last month for which figures are available. [82495]

Jacqui Smith

In 2000–01, some 1.3 million adults in England were helped to live independently at home through the provision of a variety of community-based social services. Corresponding data for 1997–98 is not available.

The number of households receiving home care in England in September 1997 and September 2001 was 479,100 and 381,200 respectively. The number of people in these households is not known.

Information on the number of people receiving home care in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.