§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people received disability living allowance and related benefits as a result of rheumatoid arthritis in the last three financial years. [123785]
§ Mr. SpellarThe exact information sought is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
The numbers of persons in receipt of disability related benefits, where the main disability recorded was arthritis, whether rheumatoid or osteo-arthritis at February in each of the last three financial years is listed in the following table.
Financial year Disability living allowance Attendance allowance 2000–01 2,478 3,217 2001–02 2,395 2,938 2002–03 2,210 2,713