The Feeding of School Children

by M. E. Bulkley

[417]. London County Council, list of members of Children's Care (School) Committees, 1912.

[418]. At the end of 1911, organisations for the supply of boots were in existence in 1,012 schools. These organisations were controlled by the Care Committees, managers, or head teachers. (Report of the London County Council for 1911, Vol. IV., p. 38.)

[419]. "Care Committee Work in Liverpool," by F. J. Marquis, in the School Child, September, 1913, p. 11.

[420]. "Care Committees," by A. S., in the School Child, March 1913, pp. 4-5.

[421]. See ante, pp. [139]-140.

[422]. Enquiries from the employers may not be made by the Care Committee without the consent of the parent or guardian. Where the committee is doubtful of the accuracy of the parents' statements, the case can be referred to the Divisional Superintendent, who may make such enquiries.

[423]. London County Council, Handbook containing general information with reference to Children's Care, 1912, pp. 18-19.

[424]. Thus in three schools in South London, attended by children whose home circumstances were very similar, the majority of the parents being casual labourers, the percentages of children who were receiving free meals in March, 1913, were 1.8, 2.9 and 7.5. In another neighbouring school, where the children were very little poorer, nineteen per cent. were being fed.

[425]. The most extreme example of the "strict" type is the committee which deals with a group of schools in St. George's-in-the-East. It is held that, the provision of meals being merely a form of relief, the work should be as far as possible dissociated from the school; the parents do not make application to the teachers but to a central office.

[426]. "Having regard to the varying circumstances and conditions of families, it is considered undesirable to fix a minimum wage which would justify children being provided with school meals, and each case should therefore be considered upon its own merits." (London County Council, Handbook containing general information with reference to Children's Care, 1912, p. 22.)