To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurseries and (b) other day care facilities participate in his Department’s Welfare Food Scheme by offering free milk to children of less than five years of age.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurseries and (b) other day care facilities participate in his Department’s Welfare Food Scheme by offering free milk to children of less than five years of age.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families with an entitlement to milk tokens are not receiving them because their tax credits are not being paid by the automatic computer system.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families with an entitlement to milk tokens are not receiving them because their tax credits are not being paid by the automatic computer system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what (a) representations and (b) other information she has received on the financial impact on nurseries and playgroups suffering from delayed payments for reimbursement of the cost of milk from the Welfare Food Reimbursement Unit;

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what (a) representations and (b) other information she has received on the financial impact on nurseries and playgroups suffering from delayed payments for reimbursement of the cost of milk from the Welfare Food Reimbursement Unit;

(3) how many claims by nurseries and playgroups for reimbursement of the cost of milk from the Welfare Food Reimbursement Unit are awaiting payment; and how many were awaiting payment at any one time on average in 2006.

(3) how many claims by nurseries and playgroups for reimbursement of the cost of milk from the Welfare Food Reimbursement Unit are awaiting payment; and how many were awaiting payment at any one time on average in 2006.

(2) what value of claims by nurseries or playgroups for reimbursement of the cost of milk from the Welfare Food Reimbursement Unit are awaiting payment; and what the average value was of claims outstanding at any one time in 2006;

(2) what value of claims by nurseries or playgroups for reimbursement of the cost of milk from the Welfare Food Reimbursement Unit are awaiting payment; and what the average value was of claims outstanding at any one time in 2006;

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.

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.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls the milk token helpline has received about delays in the delivery of milk tokens in each month since January 2003; and what proportion of total calls each figure represents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls the milk token helpline has received about delays in the delivery of milk tokens in each month since January 2003; and what proportion of total calls each figure represents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time taken was for the Token Distribution Unit to issue milk tokens to a claimant once information of a claimant’s eligibility was received from HM Revenue and Customs in the last period for which figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time taken was for the Token Distribution Unit to issue milk tokens to a claimant once information of a claimant’s eligibility was received from HM Revenue and Customs in the last period for which figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many milk tokens were issued (a) to pregnant women and (b) to mothers for children in each month from January 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many milk tokens were issued (a) to pregnant women and (b) to mothers for children in each month from January 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the level of take up of milk tokens by pregnant women.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the level of take up of milk tokens by pregnant women.

My Lords, I thank the Minister for explaining the regulations, which establish phase 1 of the new Healthy Start scheme in Devon and Cornwall and amend previous regulations. The Welfare Food Scheme has been in place since the beginning of the Second World War and, however useful its purpose, it is...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for explaining the regulations, which establish phase 1 of the new Healthy Start scheme in Devon and Cornwall and amend previous regulations. The Welfare Food Scheme has been in place since the beginning of the Second World War and, however useful its purpose, it is...

rose to move, That the draft regulations laid before the House on 3 November be approved. [8th Report from the Joint Committee and 14th Report from the Merits Committee] The noble Lord said: My Lords, the Welfare Food Scheme has played a vital role in providing a valuable safety net for...

rose to move, That the draft regulations laid before the House on 3 November be approved. [8th Report from the Joint Committee and 14th Report from the Merits Committee] The noble Lord said: My Lords, the Welfare Food Scheme has played a vital role in providing a valuable safety net for...

My Lords, there were happy occasions during the passage of the primary legislation when we debated this subject at length with the noble Baroness, Lady Andrews, who gave her customary full and detailed replies. I am delighted to see these regulations before us. However, it is fair to ask one...

My Lords, there were happy occasions during the passage of the primary legislation when we debated this subject at length with the noble Baroness, Lady Andrews, who gave her customary full and detailed replies. I am delighted to see these regulations before us. However, it is fair to ask one...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Motion. I shall focus on three issues. First, it is good to know that the scheme will soon be up and running, but I share the concern of the noble Baronesses who spoke for the two opposition parties that the choice of...

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Motion. I shall focus on three issues. First, it is good to know that the scheme will soon be up and running, but I share the concern of the noble Baronesses who spoke for the two opposition parties that the choice of...

My Lords, I shall respond briefly to the points raised in this debate on these important regulations. On the alleged new burdens on midwives and health visitors, they, after all, already see pregnant women now and are best placed to give advice about a healthy diet, which is the purpose...

My Lords, I shall respond briefly to the points raised in this debate on these important regulations. On the alleged new burdens on midwives and health visitors, they, after all, already see pregnant women now and are best placed to give advice about a healthy diet, which is the purpose...

Draft SI on healthy start scheme and welfare food (amendment)(SI 2005/3262). Lords debate on motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

Draft SI on healthy start scheme and welfare food (amendment)(SI 2005/3262). Lords debate on motion to approve. Agreed to on question.

Draft SI on healthy start scheme and welfare food (amendment) (SI 2005/3262). Considered by Standing Committee. (Minutes of proceedings at UP 7 2005-06).

Draft SI on healthy start scheme and welfare food (amendment) (SI 2005/3262). Considered by Standing Committee. (Minutes of proceedings at UP 7 2005-06).