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(ii.) Whether, henceforth, physical need and not the poverty or affluence of the parents shall
be the criterion for eligibility.
(iii.) Whether the suggestion contained in paragraph 2 is not the only means by which the
objects of the Act of Parliament can be achieved.
REPORT.
We beg to submit the following report:—
The Acts.—Meals are provided to school children under the Education (Provision of Meals)
Acts, 1906 and 1914. The essential sections of the Acts are as follows:—
A. Where the local education authority resolve that any of the children attending
an elementary school within their area are unable by reason of lack of food
to take full advantage of the education provided for them, and have ascertained
that funds other than public funds are not available or are insufficient in
amount to defray the cost of food furnished in meals under this Act, they
may spend out of the rates such sum as will meet the cost of the provision
of such food.
B. There shall be charged to the parent of every child in respect of every meal
furnished to that child under this Act such an amount as may be determined
by the local education authority, and, in the event of payment not being
made by the parent, it shall be the duty of the authority, unless they are
satisfied that the parent is unable by reason of circumstances other than
his own default to pay the amount, to require the payment of that amount
from that parent, and any such amount may be recovered summarily as
a civil debt.
The Regulations.—Regulations have been framed by the Board of Education under which
grants are payable to Local Authorities in respect of the Provision of Meals for children
attending Public Elementary Schools in England and Wales. No. 4 of these Regulations
states that in distributing the. grants the Board will take into consideration—
(a) The extent to which the work is co-ordinated with that of the School Medical
Service;
(b) The care exercised in the selection of the children for admission to the meals;
(c) The sufficiency and suitability of the dietary;
(d) The extent to which attention is given to the educational aspect of the work ;
(e) The suitability of the accommodation and equipment and the efficiency of the
service and supervision of the meals ;
(f) The completeness of the arrangements made for ascertaining and recording
the effect of the meals on the physical and mental condition of the children ;
(g) The economical administration of the work.
The Practice in Willesden.
The practice in Willesden may be best shewn by dealing with these regulations seriatim.
(a) The extent to which the work is co-ordinated with that oj the School Medical Service.
The provision of meals to school children is completely co-ordinated with the work of the
School Medical Service, both being, subject to the direction of the Children's Care Committee, under
the control of the School Medical Officer, the administration of school meals having been taken over
by him on 14th April, 1915.
(b) The care exercised in the selection of the children for admission to the meals.
At the present time, May, 1919, children are admitted to the meals—
(i.) through the schools on the application of the parents or the recommendation of the
head teacher ;
(ii.) through the Clinics on the recommendation of the School Medical Service; and,
(iii.) on application at the Feeding Centres.
During the week ending 26th April, 1919, 601 children—452 free and 149 paying—were on
the Feeding Registers. Of this number, 110—all free—or 18.3 per cent. have been put on through
the agency of the School Medical Service. The remaining 81.7 per cent. have been put on approximately
half-and-half through the schools and by direct application at the Feeding Centres.