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Milk and Dairies act, 1914.
I do not propose to more than mention this Act now, because by special
order of the Local Government Board dated 17th December, 1914, its date of
operation was postponed from 1st January to 1st October, 1915.
Poor Law Institutions Order, 1913.
Poor Law Institutions (Nursing) Order, 1913.
A circular letter dated 31st December, 1913 of the Local Government
Board conveyed these orders which do not apply to institutions provided wholly
for the sick or for children. They both came into force 31st March, 1914.
These orders were issued as a result of the report of the Departmental
Committee, which advised the consolidation with amendment of the multitudinous
regulations hitherto in force. This will no doubt lead to considerable
improvement in poor-law administration.
The Elementary Education (Provision of Meals) Act. 1914.
The Act of 1906 (See. 3) limited the expenditure on meals by the local
educational authorities to a halfpenny rate. This new Act removes that limit.
It permits the provision of meals during holidays and at other times when
the schools are not open. It abolishes-the necessity of obtaining the sanction
of the Board to any expenditure out of the rates for the provision of food, but
the usual two resolutions must still be passed annually by the Council. Half
the expenditure will be repayable through Government grants, if the work is
satisfactory.
Regulations regarding grants for year ending 31st March, 1915, were issued
by the Board of Education on the 19th June, 1914.
In a circular of 7th August, 1914, the Board expressed a fear that war
conditions might cause exceptional distress from want of employment amongst
the parents ; the local education authority was therefore urged to forthwith
start, or (if already started) to invigorate their organisation for the provision
of meals to the children.
Circular 856 was a Memorandum on meals and dietaries from the Board
of Education, 15th August, 1914.
Maternity and Infant Welfare.
The circular letter of the 30th July and a memorandum from the Local
Government Board addressed to " County Councils and Sanitary Authorities "