Milk Tokens (Hansard, 26 February 1990)

§ Mr. Fisher
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what publicity he intends to give to the possibility of exchanging the devalued milk token for a giro for the full cost of a pint of milk at local Department of Social Security offices.

§ Mr. Freeman
There does not appear to be any need for publicity on this particular aspect of the milk token scheme. Local social security offices will continue, as before, to exchange a milk token for a giro where, exceptionally, a beneficiary has been unable to obtain milk. Local offices will continue to offer advice on all benefits when needed.

§ Mr. Fisher
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what safeguards he has included to ensure that the value of the token can be spent only on milk when a milk token is exchanged for a giro;
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(2) whether recipients of milk tokens are able to claim their statutory right to a free pint of milk a day by exchanging their tokens for a giro for the actual cost of a pint of milk at their Department of Social Security offices.

§ Mr. Freeman
Cash is given in lieu of milk tokens when beneficiaries, exceptionally, cannot obtain milk with the token. This is done only when local social security offices are satisfied that the token cannot be used to obtain milk and beneficiaries are advised that the cash is intended for milk.

§ Mr. Fisher
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what staffing provisions he has made within the Department of Social Security to cope with the expected number of potential claimants who will wish to exchange their milk tokens for giro.

§ Mr. Freeman
Staffing provisions already take account of this practice which has been carried out by social security local offices for a number of years.

§ Mr. Fisher
To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will restore the value of the milk token to a level sufficient to cover the cost of a pint of milk delivered to the doorstep or purchased in a neighbourhood shop.

§ Mr. Freeman
The reimbursement price system brought into effect on 28 January 1990 reflects the size and value to

Patients treated in NHS hospitals, North Western and South Manchester health authorities. 1978, 1979 and 1988–89

1978 1979 1988–89 Per cent. increase 1978 — 1988–89

North Western Regional Health Authority

In-patient cases treated 511,674 509,049 640,548 25.2

Day case admissions 68,080 70,608 126,486 85.8

New out-patients 707,676 699,717 779,346 10.1

Total out patient attendances 3,149,423 3,156,219 3,512,983 11.5

South Manchester District Health Authority

In-patient cases treated 57,545 57,110 72,389 25.8

Day case admissions 5,502 6,975 18,940 244.2

New out-patients 68,354 69,137 75,183 10.0

Total out patient attendances 354,740 361,288 379,472 7.0

Source: 1978, 1979; SH3 return. 1988–89; SH3a, KH09, KH18 and KP70 returns.

Patients treated in NHS hospitals, North Western and South Manchester health authorities. 1978, 1979 and 1988–89
	1978	1979	1988–89	Per cent. increase 1978 — 1988–89
North Western Regional Health Authority
In-patient cases treated	511,674	509,049	640,548	25.2
Day case admissions	68,080	70,608	126,486	85.8
New out-patients	707,676	699,717	779,346	10.1
Total out patient attendances	3,149,423	3,156,219	3,512,983	11.5
South Manchester District Health Authority
In-patient cases treated	57,545	57,110	72,389	25.8
Day case admissions	5,502	6,975	18,940	244.2
New out-patients	68,354	69,137	75,183	10.0
Total out patient attendances	354,740	361,288	379,472	7.0