§ Major ASTORasked the President of the Local Government Board how many local authorities are supplying food and milk for expectant and nursing 1332W mothers and milk for children under five years of age under the powers contained in Order No. 189 issued by the Food Controller under the Defence of the Realm Act; how many local authorities are not yet supplying such assistance; and how many local authorities have submitted schemes to the Board which have not yet been approved?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERBefore the issue of the Order referred to arrangements had been made in at least twenty-six metropolitan boroughs, fifty-one county boroughs, eighty-seven other boroughs and urban districts, and throughout two counties for supplying food and milk to expectant and nursing mothers and milk to children, in some cases by voluntary agencies, and in some by the local authorities. The latter bodies acted in anticipation of the powers conferred by the Order, which powers, with others, the Local Government Board have been endeavouring to obtain for them by means of the Maternity and Child Welfare Bill now introduced. The Order does not require the Board's previous approval of schemes for supplying milk and food where the arrangements are in accordance with the circular issued with the Order. The Board have, however, asked local authorities to submit particulars of the arrangements made and their estimated cost, and eighteen local authorities in whose districts no previous arrangements have been made have done so, while thirty six others have written to the Board on the subject. A reminder has been sent to local authorities carrying out maternity schemes which have not yet, to the Board's knowledge, arranged to supply food and milk where necessary.