Written question asked by Stephen Hammond (Conservative) on Monday, 23 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 October 2006. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 November 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Milk Tokens

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the maximum number of weeks is for which a claim for milk tokens has been backdated since 2003.

Answer: Separate information on the number of weeks for which claims are backdated is not held.It is estimated that the average number of weeks for which a claim is backdated is 10 weeks. This delay is a result of the time it takes HM Revenue and Customs to process an application for child tax credit and to notify the token distribution unit.A recent request from HM Revenue and Customs for a backdated payment covered a period of 96 weeks. Requests of this length are uncommon and usually result from difficulties in the finalisation of the award of child tax credit.

Secondary information