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VI.—Mutual Registration of Assistance.
This has for its objects the linking up of various forms of assistance, whether
official or voluntary, co-operation between bodies administering assistance and
interchange of information so that overlapping may be avoided and particular types
of cases assisted by the most suitable body. The scheme, which had lapsed for
some years, was revived at the request of the London County Council, who desired
that its Public Assistance Committee might have advantage of being made aware
of the efforts of charitable and other voluntary associations in dealing with cases
coming within the purview of the Committee. The City Council decided that the
activities of its Welfare Centres and Tuberculosis Care Committee which related to
the distribution of grants for extra nourishment, etc., should be affiliated to the
mutual registration of assistance set up by the Westminster Committee of the Charity
Organization Society.
VII.—Prevention of Deafness.
The Minister of Health drew attention in Circular 1337a to the need for early and
continuous treatment of infants suffering from car defects with a view to preventing
deafness and deaf mutism. The Medical Officer of Health was directed specially
to inform the Medical Officers of the Council's Centres of the views of the Minister
and to take action accordingly.
VIII.—Homeless Persons—Washing Facilities and Shelters.
The London County Council drew attention to a representation from Societies
working on behalf of the Homeless that in the free shelters provided by certain
philanthropic bodies there were no washing facilities and the men who lodged there
were in consequent handicapped when appearing before prospective employers.
The matter was discussed by the Public Health Committee and also by the Baths
Committee. The former put forward the suggestion that it might be possible for
the Works Committee to provide a number of free vouchers for washing facilities
at the public lavatories near such shelters for use before 8 a.m. This suggestion was
forwarded to the Works Committee.
IX.—Conversion of Homes into One Room Flatlets.
A Borough Council through the Metropolitan Boroughs, Standing Joint Committee
expressed a need for obtaining further sanitary control over such conversions.
It was feared that danger to health might arise through occupants, in the main
single women, cooking food on a gas ring, washing up dishes at a lavatory basin
and in some cases having a fixed bath in the room although it might be screened.
The City Council was of opinion that existing legislation was sufficient to safeguard
sanitary conditions in such one room flatlet conversion schemes as had come under
its notice. Moreover, it did not appear that the dangers to health which were feared
from the conditions described were likely to be realised.
X.—Maternity and Child Welfare—Grants to necessitous Mothers—Extra Xourishinent
for certain eases in receipt of Public Assistance.
The London County Council introduce the subject of co-operation between the
Public Assistance Committee and the Maternity and Child Welfare Authority as
regards the extra nourishment to expectant and nursing mothers in receipt of public
assistance. It is desired that all such women if not already attending an antc(94S9)
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