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progress. Each year the results of the measurements which have been made are carefully examined
and analysed and the progress of the researches reviewed in the Annual Reports, to which references
will be found in almost every article on atmospheric pollution published in technical and scientific
journals.
The work of investigation is steadily producing a mass of knowledge, growing in extent and
reliability, about the facts of atmospheric pollution, on which those whose responsibility it is to consider
and to deal with the problem of smoke nuisance may base well-founded proposals for action in the
administrative sphere. The Conference therefore feels fully justified in commending the Investigation
to the earnest consideration of all local Authorities and in urging them to help it to grow in magnitude
and usefulness.
The financial position is such as to cause the Conference to be somewhat anxious for the future.
The income during the year was almost identical with that for the previous year, but to meet the
total expenditure it was necessary to draw on the balance available from previous years' income to
the extent of more than £400. Unless contributions increase the available balance is likely to be nearly
if not quite exhausted by the end of March, 1939. Almost the whole of the expenditure is accounted
for by the cost of the central services for the collection, examination and preparation for publication
of the results of observations made by co-operating bodies, and by the cost of the Leicester Survey.
It is hoped that by the middle of 1939 sufficient data will have been accumulated by the Survey to
make it possible to discontinue the special observations at Leicester though much essential work will
remain to be done in analysing and studying the very large mass of available data with a view to
ensuring that the fullest value is obtained from them.
(Signed) L. H. DIBBLIN,
Chief Sanitary Inspector.
5th September, 1938.
APPENDIX R.
SCHOOL MEALS.
BY THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.
As a result of a visit from Miss E. M. Langley, the Inspector of Provision of Meals arrangements,
a letter dated 3rd May, 1938, was received by the Authority from the Board of Education submitting
the following points for the consideration and observations of the Authority.
In view of the small percentage of children taking advantage of the Sunday meal service
it seems advisable to consider means of improving the attendance or to abolish Sunday
feeding.
The introduction of potato-peeling machines would save a great deal of tedious labour
and the employment of steaming ovens, in the three Centres now without them, would be
advantageous.
The provision of knives, when solid courses are served, would give an additional educational
value to the service.
The dietary should be slightly revised with a view to improving the balance of the
respective meals.
This communication came before the Children's Care Sub-Committee at their meeting on
30th May, 1938, when the Medical Officer was instructed to report on the subject matter of the letter,
including the dietary and the economic circumstances scale.
"In view of the small percentage of children taking advantage of Sunday meals service
it seems advisable to consider means of improving the attendance or to abolish Sunday
feeding."
The Children's Care Sub-Committee had this matter before them at their meeting on the 4th
July, 1938, and at the same time the following memorandum on Sunday Meals by the School Medical
Officer :—
Sunday Meals.
Arrangements are made for providing breakfasts and dinners at Gibbons Road, Strode
Road and Lower Place Feeding Centres. No dinners or breakfasts are provided on Sundays
in the South Kilburn area but these will be available when the Committee's South Kilburn
Centre is opened.
Sunday Breakfasts.
Very few Sunday breakfasts are supplied—none having been supplied at Gibbons Road,
none at Strode Road and only 56 at Lower Place since 1st January, 1938. These breakfasts
consist of bread and butter with jam or marmalade or currant bread and butter with cocoa
and milk, and as the Feeding Centre Assistants have to be on duty for the preparation of
the mid-day meal, it makes no difference to staff whether the children attend for breakfasts
or not.