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Whllst this provision is very necessary in order to deal with
unusual and very difficult cases it is one which should be resorted
to only when all else has failed.
A number of cases came to the notice of the Public Health Department
where it was suggested that conditions would Justify action
under this section. Mostly they were old people living alone but
there were some eases of elderly married couples. On investigation
it was found that some of these people were unaware of the facilities
provided by the London County Council under the Home Help Service and
the provision of a Home Help solved most of the difficulties. In
some cases it was possible to arrange voluntary admission to hospital
or other suitable place. In a few Instances arrangements were made
for adequate care to be provided by friends or relatives. In no
instances was it necessary to resort to legal proceedings.
(13) Burial of the Dead
In accordance with Section 50 of the National Assistance Act,
1948, the Council is responsible for the burial or cremation of the
body of any person who had died or been found dead within the Borough,
and where no private arrangements are being made for the disposal
of the body. Authority is given to recover from the estate of the
deceased person, or from any person who, under the Act, was liable
to maintain the deceased immediately prior to his/her death, the
expenses incurred in carrying out the duty, in so far as these
expenses are not covered by any grant under the National Insurance
Act, 1946.
During the year, 10 burials were arranged by the Department at a
cost of £77. 9s. 6d. of which £45. 1s. 10d. was recovered up to
the end of the year, and a further £2. 3s. 6d. in respect of
burials carried out before the period under review.
(14) Mortuary
During the year, an arrangement between the boroughs of Poplar,
Shoreditch and Bethnal Green came into operation whereby the Poplar
Mortuary became the main mortuary for use by the three boroughs with
the Bethnal Green Mortuary being maintained as a reserve for use in
emergencies. This arrangement is working most satisfactorily.
The number of Bethnal Green bodies received at the Poplar
Mortuary was 121. 121 post-mortems were carried out and 18 inquests
held.