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unchanged at 8d. per meal; with the contribution of 10d. per meal
from the London County Council, the balance of id. per meal was borne
by the City Council. The menus improved considerably and many of
the old people expressed to the Society their appreciation of the better
meals which were being provided.
The number of meals delivered by the Society continued to increase
and in 1959 reached a total of 15,324, the highest total since the meals
service was commenced in Westminster in 1946.
The Mobile Meals Service is dependent upon the help of a small band
of willing volunteers who turn out regularly, whatever the weather, to
assist in delivering meals to the old people in their homes; the invaluable
service rendered by the Society and these voluntary helpers is much
appreciated by all concerned.
Luncheon Clubs
The British Red Cross Society, in March, 1957, opened a luncheon
club for the elderly in accommodation on one of the Council's Housing
Estates, a second luncheon club being opened in October, 1958, in City
Council premises in Monck Street. Both clubs operate on two days
each week, and have proved convenient centres where aged persons who
are not housebound can have a hot meal at a modest price, and enjoy
the company of others. The meals are purchased by the Society from
the caterers who supply the meals for the mobile service, and are conveyed
in insulated containers to the clubs, where they are served out by
voluntary workers.
As in the case of the "Meals on Wheels" Service, the price of the
meals was increased in June, 1959, from 1s. 6d. to 1s. l0d. per meal;
the old people pay 8d., the London County Council pays 1 Of/., and the
City Council bears the balance of 4d. per meal. The City Council also
makes a grant to the Society of 75 per cent. of the costs of running the
Clubs, as well as bearing the cost of equipment. During 1959, 4,877 meals
were served at the two Luncheon Clubs.
Aged Persons in Need of Care and Attention
Under the provisions of the National Assistance Acts, a Medical
Officer of Health is empowered to apply to the Courts for an order for
the compulsory removal to a hospital or other suitable place, of persons
who are suffering from grave chronic disease or, being aged, infirm or
physically incapacitated, are living in insanitary conditions and unable
to devote to themselves, and are not receiving from others, proper care
and attention. It was not found necessary to use these powers during
the year.
Aged and Infirm Persons
Most of the visiting of the aged and infirm is done by the Westminster
Old People's Welfare Association social worker. There are occasions,
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