View report page

19
Supply of Milk and Food.
The quantity of milk supplied free or at a reduced price under the Council's
scheme to expectant and nursing mothers and young children was 3,905½ gallons
(liquid) and 1,502 pounds (dried). The amount expended was £728 17s. 9d., as
against £1,289 9s. 3d. in 1939. The number of cases dealt with was 205, and the
number of orders issued 1,095, showing a decrease over the figures for 1939, when
the cases numbered 478 and the orders 2,914. This decrease is accounted for by
the fact that, as from the 1st August, 1940, the National Milk Scheme, administered
by the Ministry of Food through Milk Officers attached to local Food Offices, came
into operation.
Under this scheme, one pint of milk daily is made available to all expectant
and nursing mothers and young children, normally at a price of 2d. per pint, but in
necessitous cases free of charge, and there is no obligation on the part of mothers or
children to attend a maternity and child welfare centre. The Milk Officer received
the full co-operation of the Public Health Department in the inauguration of the new
scheme and in ensuring its subsequent smooth working. Later, when national dried
milk became available, the Milk Officer was assisted by the Department in organising
its distribution to mothers and children.
The Food Executive Officer has kindly provided the following information as
to milk supplied under the National Scheme from its inception (1st August, 1940)
to the 29th December, 1940:—
Liquid Milk. Dried Milk.
Free 5,309¼ gallons. Free 70 cartons.
At 2d. per pint 8,454i „ At l/2d. per *carton 54 „
Total 13,7633/8 „ Total 124
*Contains 1¼lbs., equivalent to approximately 8 pints of liquid milk.
The Council's arrangements for the supply of milk under maternity and child
welfare powers remain in force to meet the needs of those who, on medical grounds,
require the milk provided under the national scheme to be supplemented or replaced
by a modified milk product.
The Council have also made arrangements for the supply of dinners at certain
voluntary centres to expectant and nursing mothers and young children but no
advantage was taken of this service during 1940. Mention should, however, be made
of the communal feeding centres which have been established in various parts of
the Borough since the outbreak of war and to which large numbers of the
inhabitants, in general, resort.
Clothing, etc.
During the winter months particularly, mothers and children evacuated from
the Borough were supplied with clothing and footwear despatched from a depot
established by the Department. Reception authorities were invited to send lists of
their requirements, and parcels were sent to all areas from which requests for
assistance were received.
Day Nurseries.
The three day nurseries in the Borough were evacuated on the outbreak of war:
the Portman (St. Marylebone Health Society) from new premises at Nos. 12-18,
Salisbury Street to Limpsfield, Surrey; the Crossley (St. Marylebone Health Society)
from No. 38, Barrow Hill Road to Watlington, Oxfordshire; and St. Vincent's
Creche (Convent of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul) from No. 14 Blandford
Street to Taplow, Buckinghamshire. In their temporary quarters in the country
the nurseries are carrying on their valuable work with marked success and with
undoubted benefit to the health of the children.
Home Helps.
No home helps were provided during the year.