HSMP approved - Tier-1 doubts

[ksjagan]

Dear all,
I have applied for HSMP and got approval in janurary23rd 2008. Since we were expecting our Kid, we had decided to apply for Tier-1.

our initial plan was to apply for Tier-1 for myself and since my wife will be in maternity leave, we thought of applying after 6-8 months(both for my Wife & Kid). Since i couldnt manage £2800+ £1600+£1600 Pounds(me, my wife, Kid), I am managing only £2800
My HSMP approval will expire by July23rd. Now i am planning to apply.
I have the following doubts.
1) Whether my dependents can apply for Visa before 12 months.?(VAF9A says that You must have £2,800 available funds for yourself plus £1,600 for each dependant accompanying you or intending to join you in the UK within 12 months of your arrival in the UK)
2) VAF9B asks for kid's passport number etc?? Is that compulosry? My kid is 5 days old, I am not sure, i can get the Passport by tatkal before i can apply for my Tier-1?(we havent even got her Birthcertificate, since we have named her just now)
3) I am planning to apply before July23rd and Whats the farthest date i can ask my VISA to be given??
I am not planning to travel immediately(after September)
4) For this year, in my company form-16 is given as soft copy with digital certificate(with out any seal or signature from finance), will that create any issue if submitted?? (print out of the form-16 is usual with a question mark image for digital certificate)
5) For funds maintenance proof, can we submit 3 months bank statement alone??

Pls let me know your thoughts on these issues.

Cheers !

P.S. I had alredy asked this questions in another sticky, since my doubts list got increased, i had posted a topi. Sorry for the trouble.