To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate for the next three years the number of people in receipt of retirement benefit and likely to benefit from recent changes in the hospital downrating provisions who will be affected by withdrawal of (a) attendance allowance and (b) other benefits because of hospital stays of below 13 weeks. [101725]

The total number of people affected by suspensions over a given year are not available. The forecast number of cases affected by hospital suspensions at a particular point in time are given in the following table.

Year	AA	DLA
2002–03	14,000	2,000
2003–04	14,000	2,000
2004–05	14,000	2,000
2005–06	15,000	2,000

Notes:1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000.2. Based on 5 per cent. extracts taken from the November 2002, 5 per cent. extracts from the DLA and AA computer systems, and 1999 Hospital Episodes Statistics.3. Caseloads projected in line with forecasts for the pre-budget report.