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11
At the end of December, 1939, the sanction of the Ministry of
Health was obtained to the operation in this Area of a scheme, prepared
by the Milk Marketing Board, for the supply of liquid milk to
Expectant and Nursing Mothers, and Children under 5 years of age,
at a reduced rate, as outlined in Circular 1840 of the Ministry of
Health, dated '2nd August, 1939.
This scheme was accordingly given effect as from the 1st
January, 1940, and this was one of the first half dozen Authorities to
operate the scheme.
In brief, the purpose was to supply in the home 1 pint of liquid
milk per head to those in the categories mentioned above, free, or
at such price, not exceeding 2d. a pint, as the Welfare Authority
should determine. A greater quantity, not exceeding 2 pints per
head per day, could, however, be supplied by the Welfare Authority
on the recommendation of the Medical Officer of Health.
In order to bring the scheme to the notice of the public, advertisements
were inserted in the local press, and notices were placed
in each of the Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics. The General
Practitioners, and Midwives, were also circulated.
A considerable amount of clerical work devolved on the Department,
and some idea of the magnitude of the scheme can be obtained
when I state that during the period from January 1st till July 31st,
when the scheme terminated, 114,986 pints of milk had been
supplied.
On August 1st this scheme was superseded by that of the
Ministry of Food for the supply of liquid milk under the National
Milk Scheme, and this is undertaken locally by the Local Food
Office. As, however, it is permissible, on the recommendation of a
Medical Officer, to issue National Dried Milk to children under the
age of 1 year, in lieu of the liquid milk, it has been found necessary
to establish a very close co-operation between the Local Food Office
and this Department. This co-operation is complete and working
smoothly.
Regarding the provision of Milk in general during the year,
there were 2,533 applications for receiving cow's milk free, or at less
than cost price—840 had to pay a proportion of the cost, and the
remaining 1,693 received it free.
In a similar manner 1,153 applications were received regarding
dried milk, and other foods, 154 had to pay a proportion, and 999
received free grants,