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actual figures or facts being put forward as evidence.
It seems desirable, therefore, to place before the public
actual figures relating to the cost of the service which
it is my duty to supervise, especially as these figures
can be compared with those for certain other districts.
As this report deals with the year 1920, and as exact
figures are available for the year ending 31st March,
1920, for Ealing as well as for some other towns which
are noted in a recent report of the Ministry of Health
on " The Amount of Local Rates," I propose to quote
the figures for that year. The total cost of the whole
of the School Medical Service for the year ending 31st
March, 1920, was £1,880 15s. 5d., and the receipts
£72 19s. 0d., making a nett cost of £1,807 16s. 5d. for
the whole of the medical supervision of all the children
in the elementary schools. As half of this cost is repaid
by the Board of Education, the nett cost to the ratepayers
is £903 18s. 2d., or a rate of 2-5ths of a penny—
a very low proportion of the whole rate. This rate
compares favourably with the rate for similar purposes
in other towns which are quoted in the Report referred
to. Ipswich for that year had a rate of 2d. in the £,
Leeds 3d., Portsmouth 2d., and Sunderland fd. for
the school medical service. These figures require no
further comment by me.
I take this opportunity of expressing my great appreciation
of the work of all the members of the staff,
but particularly that of Dr. Garrow, who was recently
appointed Medical Officer of Health for Chesterfield
and that of the Senior School Nurse, Miss Bailey.
I am, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
THOMAS ORR.