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Thus commenced a practice which proved of great importance. It rapidly
spread from school to school in London and became a recognised part of the
Council's measures for combating ill-nourishment in school children. Later the
example of London was followed by many of the provincial authorities.
The number of official milk meals supplied in elementary schools by the
Council in 1932-33 was about 4½ millions, of which nearly 2 millions were paid for
out of the rates. The price charged to parents in a position to pay for the official
milk meals is the average current retail price in the trade, viz., 3d. a pint throughout
the year.

There was thus an increase of 14.4 per cent. in children on dinners, 3.0 per
cent. in those on milk and 12.9 per cent, in those on oil and malt in December, 1933,
compared with the number in December, 1932.
Although the total number of children upon milk ordered by the school doctor
only increased by 3 0 per cent., the number on free milk in school increased by 18.4
per cent. In other words there was a transference to the free list of a considerable
number of children whose parents formerly paid.
The figures in the above tables relate only to the official feeding lists, which
deal with children who are fed as the result of consideration as to social necessity or
as the result of the school doctors' recommendations. They take no account of
the very large number of additional children receiving milk in school as the result
of the activities of voluntary milk clubs. It is believed that something like twelve
million penny bottles of milk are distributed in the elementary schools through these
clubs. The price charged in connection with these is the same as that charged in
connection with the official scheme, viz., 3d. a pint throughout the year.
Residential schools and homes—Dietary.
Final consideration has been given to the provisional dietary which came into
force in March, 1932, at the majority of the transferred schools. The superintendents
and medical officers of the schools were asked by the education officer for their
criticisms after an extended trial of the dietary for eighteen months.
There were practically no adverse criticisms, but complete unanimity in praise
of the diet as a whole. One or two superintendents suggested slight alterations in
individual items and these were considered and adopted in most instances. The
medical officers all remarked upon the improved condition of the children, and
the absence of skin eruptions which used to be so prevalent in poor-law homes, was
especially noted. This is important as unhealthy skin conditions are associated
with a diet which, though ample in bulk, is deficient in quality.