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Zimbabwe

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe about the voter registration process in Zimbabwe. [189860]

Mr. Mullin: Zimbabwe and other members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) recently adopted principles on democratic elections. These stipulate that all citizens should have equal opportunity to exercise the right to vote; that there should be no discrimination in voter registration; and that the voters' roll should be updated and accessible. We have made clear, including through the British Embassy in Harare and the European Union Presidency, that we look to Zimbabwe to fully respect these and other SADC principles.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Arthritis

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are receiving treatment with (a) Embrel and (b) Remicade in Northern Ireland. [188534]

 
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Angela Smith: Figures collected between June and July 2004 indicate that approximately 241 patients were being treated with anti-TNF medication; of these (a) 69 patients were prescribed Enbrel, (b) 102 were prescribed Remicade while a further 70 patients were prescribed another anti-TNF medication such as Adalimumab (Humira).

A small number of those treated with anti-TNF medication may not be rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers commenced treatment with (a) Embrel and (b) Remicade in each of the last 12 months in Northern Ireland. [188535]

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are waiting to commence anti-TNF medications in the Province. [188536]

Angela Smith: Figures collected between June and July 2004 indicate that approximately 427 persons are waiting for treatment with anti-TNF medication. All of these patients are currently receiving treatment with other medication.

A small number of those waiting for treatment with anti-TNF medication may not be rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

Bovine TB

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his policy to combat bovine tuberculosis in Northern Ireland. [188247]

Mr. Pearson: My Department has in place a Tuberculosis (TB) control programme which aims to bring about a substantial reduction in TB disease levels in Northern Ireland. The control measures are based on a programme of testing, the slaughter of infected animals, the restriction of movements of animals to and from infected herds and surrounding herds, and the tracing of contact animals.

The implementation of the TB Policy Review measures which I announced at the beginning of September will ensure further progress towards the effective long-term control of the disease. The new measures being introduced this autumn include tighter restrictions on overdue TB tests and changes to the valuation system which mean that herdkeepers will in future pay for independent valuations, the independent valuer's valuation will no longer be final and binding, and an independent appeals panel is being established to review any disputed valuations.

Work is also under way on the feasibility of further measures that can be introduced to control TB. My Department is piloting the use of the gamma interferon blood test, in combination with skin testing, to assist in the detection of TB in cattle in certain circumstances. There is also ongoing work on research collaboration with the ROI.
 
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In relation to badgers and TB, I have established a Stakeholder Group to review the badger studies that have been carried out in the ROI, along with research in badgers undertaken in NI, and all other relevant information available so far from the work in GB. I await the report of the Group to enable me to make a fully informed decision on the way ahead.

Chest Pain Clinics

Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many rapid access chest pain clinics are operational in Northern Ireland; and if he will make disabled children a priority area for 2005–06. [190463]

Angela Smith: There are currently two rapid access chest pain clinics in Northern Ireland, which are based at the Royal Victoria and Belfast City Hospitals. Further clinics are expected to open shortly at the Mater and Craigavon Hospitals, and one is under consideration by Altnagelvin Hospital.

The prioritisation of children requiring cardiology or cardiac treatments is a clinical decision, based on the most clinically urgent receiving treatment first.

Domestic Violence

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the costs resulting from domestic violence in each of the last five years in Northern Ireland. [188530]

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available.

Research has recently been published which estimated the cost of domestic violence to society in England and Wales at £23 billion each year. £6 billion of this related to the direct costs of services to deal with domestic violence (police, criminal justice system, health and social services care, housing and civil legal cases) and to the loss of economic output due to the suffering of victims. There has been no similar research on costs in Northern Ireland. Extrapolation of the research figures for England and Wales on a pro-rata population basis would indicate that the cost of services and loss of economic output due to domestic violence could amount to about £180 million each year in Northern Ireland.

Early Release Scheme

Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners were released under the Early Release Scheme under the Belfast Agreement; and how many of those released have been convicted of re-offending. [189794]

Mr. Pearson: To date (27 September 2004), 447 prisoners have been released early since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. Details of those who have re-offended are only held for those who come to the attention of police whilst still under licence, of whom 28 have been convicted of further offences.
 
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Flooding

Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what emergency plans are in operation for dealing with flooding in Northern Ireland. [188738]

Mr. Pearson: The Department for Regional Development Roads and Water Services and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Rivers Agency are the key Agencies in Northern Ireland with a flooding response capability in association with other key stakeholders, mainly district councils, who also have roles to play.

Each Agency has its own emergency response arrangements. As a matter of course these arrangements provide for out-of-hours contact from the public and the mobilisation of staff, plant and equipment.

With regard to specific plans, Rivers Agency responds in accordance with its Flooding Emergency Arrangements, while Water Service responds in accordance with the Water Service's Major Incident Plan and Roads Service in accordance with the Roads Service Emergency Response Plan

In addition the Rivers Agency, Roads Service and Water Service have established a Joint Flood Strategy Steering Group to oversee co-ordination of their respective efforts in preventing, planning for and responding to flooding incidents. The Steering Group, which is chaired by the Rivers Agency, has developed a set of Best Practice Guidelines on an Integrated Response to Flooding.

Irish Language

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of implementing an Irish language policy has been to each Government Department since its introduction. [187778]

Angela Smith: During devolution Northern Ireland Executive Ministers decided policy on the language to be used by each Department for letterheads and public advertisements, including the use of Irish and Ulster Scots. At an early stage during the current period of suspension, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, decided that the position within each Northern Ireland Department should remain unchanged. This remains his current assessment.

The costs incurred from 1998 until March 2004 as a result of these Irish language policies are as follows:

Department	Cost (£)
DHSSPS	367,266
DE	70,765
DEL	35,655
DFP	5,084
DCAL	26,886
DARD	388
DETI	285
OFMDFM	84,821
DOE	9,883
DRD	195
DSD	677
NIO	1,366

 
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