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30
HOUSING
The routine is to pass the infant to the School for Mothers after the Health Visitor has
made an effective visit, hut a number of infants remain for further visits by the Department's
Official for various reasons. The Visitors appointed by the School continue to visit all infants
up to one year of age and a good proportion between the ages of 1-5 years, some of the latter,
however, coming under the Care Committees on entering the Infant (3 to 5 years) Classes at
the Schools. In 1919, the Staff of the School for Mothers made 10,973, and in 1920 11,857
visits. The figures for infants 1-5 years old were not tabulated separately.
Consultation Centres.—In 1914 there were three Centres at work. At the end of 1920 the
number was 5, consultations being held at 3 once a week, and at 2, twice. The weekly average
of attendances at all centres was 191 in 1919 and 268 in 1920. A medical officer attends at
each consultation.
Fortnightly consultations are held for children aged 1-5 years. In 1919, there were
378 attendances at those consultations. The returns for 1920 are not available.
Sewing and Cookery Classes are held for mothers, and "health talks" given periodically in
addition to the informal talks which take place at each consultation.
Milk Grants.—In March, 1918, the Council referred to the Paddington School for Mothers
the administration of the Milk (Mothers and Children) Order, 1918, which Order was superseded
by the Milk (Mothers and Children) Order, 1919. The supply of milk free or at less than
cost price was at once commenced, but arrangements for the provision of meals to expectant
and nursing mothers did not come into operation until after October, 1919.
Experience having shown that in a number of instances, persons eligible for grants of
milk were not provided for, owing to the fact that for various reasons they were unable to attend
the consultations at the Paddington School for Mothers, the Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee in December, 1919, directed that such cases should be dealt with by the Medical
Officer of Health.
The foregoing arrangements continued until the beginning of 1921, when a Special
Sub-Committee of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee, was formed for the purpose
of considering all applications for grants. Since then all orders have been issued by the Medical
Officer of Health.
Between April, 1918 and December, 1920, the amount expended by the Paddington School
for Mothers on milk was approximately £516, which may be divided roughly as follows:—
During 1918 (April to December), £36; 1919, £89; and 1920. £391.
During the same period milk substitutes (comprising "Glaxo," "Cow & Gate," "Virol,"
"Marylebone Cream,'' Lactogol," etc.) to the value of £2,635 were purchased for distribution
at the Consultation Centres, and £2,226 received from the mothers, the difference (£409)
representing the value of the foods supplied free or at less than cost price.
During 1920 337 applications were dealt with by the Medical Officer of Health. Threehundred-and-two
(302) grants were made, 189 being free and 113 at half-price, the cost to the
Council approximating £350. Twenty (20) applications were refused as not relating to
necessitous cases, 14 others were referred to the School for Mothers and 1 to the Board of
Guardians.
III—HOUSING.*
Legislation.—The following Acts were passed during 1919-20—
In 1919—Housing, Town Planning, etc.. Act.
Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, and
Housing (Additional Powers) Act.
In2 1920—Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act.
"Housing" work is regulated by no fewer than nine Acts, not to mention special provisions in
Acts not entitled "Housing Acts." The six Acts prior to those of 1919 are
Housing of the Working Classes Acts, 1890, 1893, 1894, 1900 and 1903 and
Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909.
1 See also Table XXIX, Appendix, which has been constructed at the request of the Ministry of Health.