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authority and for his detention and maintenance therein. In order to
enable local authorities to deal expeditiously with certain types of cases,
the procedure required under section 47 of the National Assistance Act,
1948 has been simplified by the National Assistance (Amendment)
Act, 1951, which enables the medical officer of health to make direct
application to the court, provided there is supporting medical evidence.
Several possible cases were investigated during the year, and in
one instance it was necessary to apply to the court for an order for
compulsory removal. This was granted.
National Assistance Act, 1948 — section 50
Under section 50 of the above Act, it is the duty of the local
authority to arrange for the burial or cremation of the body of any
person who has died or been found dead in their area if it appears that
no suitable arrangements for the disposal of the body have or are being
made.
The local authority can recover expenses incurred from the estate
of the deceased person or from any person liable to maintain the
deceased person immediately before his death. The recovery of expenses
is subject to any payment received by the authority from the Ministry
of National Insurance under the National Insurance Act, 1946.
During the year the Council accepted responsibility for the burial
of 10 persons, at a net cost of £40 6s. 6d.
Public Mortuary and Coroner's Court
The premises are situated in Ladywell Road and comprise a court
room, witness room, coroner's office, caretaker's apartments and
mortuary.
The number of bodies taken to the mortuary during the year was
742, of which 398 were received from hospitals. 742 postmortem
examinations were made and inquests were held in 109 cases.
Details are shewn in the following table:—