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48
Before scheme in operation:—900,000 children in England
and Wales received one-third pint of milk for one penny.
(representing an annual consumption of ten million gallons).
After scheme in operation (i.e., March, 1935):—2,750,000
children in England and Wales received one-third pint of
milk at one halfpenny or free (representing an annual consumption
of twenty-three million gallons).
Approximately only 50% school population received milk
at school, i.e., 51% in March, 1935, falling to 47% in October,
1935 (England and Wales).
87% of all school departments in England and Wales
operate scheme.
In one County area the number fell from 64,000 in February,
1935, to 44,000 in September, 1935.
On enquiry, Head Teachers gave following reasons, tabulated
in order of importance:—
(1) Wearing off of the novelty.
(2) Interference of milk rations with the appetite for the
mid-day meal.
(3) Sickness caused by drinking cold milk.
(4) Refusal of parents to pay because other children were
receiving free milk.
(5) Poverty.

The percentage for Walthamstow was 69 in October, 1934,
falling to 53 in October, 1935.
Holiday arrangements.—During Easter, 1935, arrangements
were made by your Committee for those children wishing to
obtain their milk to do so at a certain specified school in each
of four districts.
Blue tickets were issued to children in respect of "voluntary"
milk, and red ones to those in receipt of "official."