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the year, compared with 13,605 in 1953. The meals-on-wheels service organised from the same premises,
served 5,298 meals during the year to old people in their homes, compared with 4,720 in 1953. This is an
increase, but only two meals a week are supplied to each person; the aim is to give a hot meal to old people
five days a week in all parts of the borough.
Through the Morning and Luncheon Club and the meals service, the W.V.S. discover the other needs
of old people such as clothing or little extras of comfort.
Publicity of Services for the Aged
There are many services in the area available for old people, but no uniform way of presenting
them to the public.
In October the Council, after consultation with the Willesden Old Folks' Association, therefore
decided to publish 10,000 copies of a booklet describing all the services available for old people.
S.O.S. Card Scheme
The Council also introduced an S.O.S. card scheme. An old person requiring help urgently can
display a card in the window to attract attention. The cards will be distributed through the Willesden Old
Folks' Association, the National Federation of Old Age Pensions Associations, and many old people's
clubs to old people living alone.
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
In accordance with the provisions of' Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, arrangements
were made for the burial of 8 persons during the year. The total cost to the Council was £95 2s. 6d. of
which £12 was recovered by the Borough Treasurer.
The cases came to the notice of the department from the following sources :
Private doctor 1
Friends or relatives of deceased 6
Coroner's Officer 1
PUBLIC MORTUARY
425 bodies were dealt with at the mortuary as follows:—
Post-mortem and inquests 78
Adjourned inquests 34
Total post-mortems 425
(Section 198 of the Public Health Act, 1936.)
In 1950 and 1951 all inquests on Willesden residents whose bodies were sent to the Mortuary for
post-mortem examination were held in the Coroner's Court attached to the Mortuary. In 1952 only 50
per cent. of these inquests were held in the court, and in 1953, 36 per cent. The remainder were held in
the Coroner's Court at Ealing, with some inconvenience to relatives and friends of the deceased. From
the 1st January, 1954, to the end of March, 1954, of 13 inquests held on Willesden residents, 12 were at
Ealing and only 1 at Willesden. The Council therefore made representations to the Middlesex County
Council and the Home Secretary. Although there was some improvement, three out of four inquests were
held at Ealing.

*Figures in brackets: 1.1.1954—31.3.1954.
LICENSING OF HAWKERS
Hawkers of food and premises used by them for storage accommodation must be registered by the
Council (Section 11 of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1950). One hawker was registered during 1954,
making a total of 22.
Fruit and vegetables 19
Fish 2
Miscellaneous 1
Total 22
COMMON LODGING HOUSES
There are now no common lodging houses in the district registered under Section 237 of the Public
Health Act, 1936.