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30
It will be seen that the average number of persons who received
milk for 1933-7 was increased by 21 per cent. during the past year,
while the amount expended was 55 per cent. greater. These
increases are mainly due to the revised scale of assessment adopted
in September, 1937, and the increased amounts then permitted to
be issued in various cases ; but the establishment of additional
toddlers' clinics has resulted in many more children between 3 and
5 years of age receiving milk than formerly.
Care is taken to see that there is no abuse of the facilities
provided, and in 1938 the enquiries made of employers as to the
wages stated by the applicants were largely increased in number.
The form of application was also revised and re-printed in
order to avoid some ambiguities which might possibly lead to misstatements,
and a number of cautionary letters were addressed to
persons who were found to have made erroneous statements. In
one case a prosecution was instituted with the result shewn on
page 87.
The supply of liquid milk is in the form of tuberculin tested
milk, which is supplied in sealed bottles by licensed purveyors in
the Borough, and the recipients are given their choice of dairymen
from the list of licensed dealers.
The scheme of the London County Council under which milk
or special nourishment is provided for expectant or nursing mothers
or delicate children where the family is already in receipt of public
assistance (in addition to the relief ordinarily given) continued in
force during 1938.
During the year 150 persons in 118 families who came within
its terms were supplied with Tuberculin tested or dried milk through
the Public Assistance Authority. The quantity of milk supplied to
these families was about 13,572 pints of liquid, and 220 lbs. of dried
milk. The cost involved was approximately £268, which was borne
by the London County Council. These figures (except as to cost)
are included in the foregoing tables.
Under another arrangement with the London County Council
the Council undertakes to supply milk to those expectant mothers
(not in receipt of Public Assistance grants) who attend the ante-natal
clinics attached to the County Council's general hospitals and who are
certified by the medical officers of the County Council to be in need
of additional nourishment. The grant of milk in these cases
however is limited to those mothers whose income comes within the
Council's scale. During the year 1,159 pints of Tuberculin tested
milk were supplied under this scheme, the number of mothers affected
being 20. These figures are also included in the foregoing tables.
In addition to the grant of milk, at reduced rates or free
of charge, it has been the practice to issue dried milk at cost price
to those mothers attending the welfare centres whose income though
not entitling them, under the Council's scale, to purchase it at
reduced prices, does not enable them to afford the full retail prices.