§ Sir K. FRASERasked the Minister of Health what is the number of medical men appointed as supervisors or inspectors of welfare centres during the last 12 months; the salaries at which they were appointed; the total annual cost of this service; and whether such officers 1820W have any authority for ordering supplies of foods for distribution at less than cost?
§ Dr. ADDISONAccording to the latest available information 43 persons (of whom 25 were men) were appointed during 1920 specifically as medical officers of maternity and child welfare centres, the usual rate of remuneration not exceeding £1 11s. 6d. per session, and amounting in the aggregate to about £3,660 per annum. In addition 36 persons (of whom 10 were men) were appointed by local authorities during this period as whole or part-time medical officers for maternity and child welfare work generally, at salaries ranging from £150 to £750 per annum. Their duties include in every case more or less direct supervision of the work of centres, but it is not possible to make any apportionment of their salaries to that specific purpose, or to estimate even approximately what proportion of the total annual cost of welfare work is attributable to this branch of the service. Milk, and in special circumstances other food, may be provided at less than cost for expectant and nursing mothers and for children under five years of age, where such provision is certified by the medical officer of a centre, or by the Medical Officer of Health, to be necessary and where the case is necessitous.