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The heights and weights of the children placed on milk were ascertained by a random
sampling of the records of 100 boys and 100 girls born in 1925 (aged 9), and in the following
tables are compared with the average heights and weights of London children at the same age:—

The increase in physical measurements over a period of one year is shown in the following
table:—

Disparity
in numbers
of free meals.
It is curious that the boys did better than normal children in increase in weight, while the
girls did better than normal children in increase in height.
In 1932 the comptroller of the Council commented on the disparity between
the number of dinners provided, free of charge, for children of certain neighbouring
schools. A detailed inquiry was subsequently carried out by the education officer
and the school medical officer jointly. After considering the result, the Special
Services Sub-Committee decided that similar investigations should be made in other
parts of London.
Such an inquiry was conducted during 1934 by Dr. R. H. Simpson, who had
carried out similar previous investigations, and was concerned with three provided
schools suggested by the Shoreditch local association: The Laysterne, Crondallstreet
and St. John's-road.
Scheme of
Milk
Marketing
Board.
In July the proposals became known, which the Government had in view,
under the Milk Bill, 1934, to make provision for the supply of milk to schools at
prices below the regional prices fixed for other customers by the Milk Marketing
Board. The Bill became law, and the scheme was put into force on 1st October,
1934.
The scope of the scheme is as follows: milk is supplied in one-third pint bottles
with straws, at a charge to the consumer of ½d. a bottle, to all full-time schools or
courses for children recognised by the Board of Education for grant. The scheme
applies only to milk supplied in one-third pint bottles drunk directly by the children
in schools, and not to that used for cooking or instructional purposes.
The vendors and the quality of the milk supplied must be approved by the local
medical officers of health in consultation with the school medical officer. During
September a conference was held between the Council's medical officers and the medical
officers of health of the Borough Councils, and as a result it was decided that only
pasteurised milk should be approved for the purpose of the scheme in London.
There had been for a number of years voluntary milk clubs at very many schools,
run mainly under the auspices of a scheme of the National Milk Publicity Council,
and before the new scheme came into operation there were more than 100,000
children in London day schools who were supplied through these clubs each school