Clause 4 - Claims: supplementary

Part of Tax Credits Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 4:45 pm on 15 January 2002.

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Photo of Mr Howard Flight Mr Howard Flight Conservative, Arundel and South Downs 4:45, 15 January 2002

I thank the Minister for his response and in particular for clarifying, at least for me, that the Government initially intend there to be a three-month time limit. That addresses the main issue that we were raising. What everyone wants to avoid is the development of a lucrative trade for clever lawyers specialising in back-claiming for long periods, long after that support was needed for the people concerned, who have survived notwithstanding.

Making claims in advance arises later in the Bill, especially under clause 7, and will need a fair degree of probing. However, I thank the Minister for his explanation of what ''earlier'' is intended to mean in the context of clause 4(1)(b). On the basis that, essentially, three months' backdating will be the limit, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.