§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many powdered milk tokens were provided by the Western Health and Social Services Board in the last 12 months for which figures are available and(a) what was their face value in (i) Limavady Council District, (ii) Londonderry Council District and (iii) Strabane Council District and (b) how many (i) chemists and (ii) other outlets provided this service in each of the council districts; and what checks he has carried out to determine whether only those chemists authorised to do so have returned such tokens for payment by the Board. [121254]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe Foyle HSS Trust and Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust within the Western Health and Social Services Board area accepted 109,821 powdered milk tokens in the 12 month period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 1999, which are the latest figures available.
(a) Powdered milk tokens are reimbursed at the same face value in the Limavady Council District, Londonderry Council District and Strabane Council Districts by Foyle HSS Trust and Sperrin Lakeland Trust. The face values reimbursed at December 1999 were as follows:
£ SMA White & Gold 5.99 Cow and Gate Plus and Premium 5.69 Farleys 1 & 2 5.61 Milupa Milumil 5.87 Milupa Aptamil & Aptamil Extra 6.58 (b) (i) The number of chemists authorised to accept milk tokens in each Council District are as follows:
District Limavady Council District 4 Londonderry Council District 26 Strabane Council District 14 (ii) No other outlets within these Council Districts are authorised to accept powdered milk tokens.Foyle HSS Trust and Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust accept powdered milk tokens only from those chemists authorised to participate in the NI Welfare Foods Scheme.