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operated on two days each week, and provided 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 mentioned in the preceeding section, the Luncheon Club at Tintern
House was closed down in July, 1961, when the Westminster Old People's
Welfare Association Day Club at Sherborne House opened.
As in the case of the " Meals on Wheels " Service, the price of the
meals was increased in June, 1959, from Is. 6d. to Is. 10d. per meal;
the old people pay 8d., the London County Council pays 11d., and the
City Council bears the balance of 3d. 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 1961, 4,169
meals were served at the Luncheon Clubs.
Invalid Meals Service
For many years Invalid Kitchens of London provided an invalid
meals service covering a number of areas within the County of London.
Early in 1961, because of certain financial difficulties, this service was
taken over by the London County Council, who stated that, while they
were willing to continue and expand the service themselves, they would
be equally willing to promote legislation so that the Metropolitan Boroughs
could, if they wished, operate the service instead.
At the request of the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee
these powers were obtained and Section 69 of the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1961, enables Metropolitan Borough
Councils to operate an invalid meals service, or to employ any voluntary
organisation providing invalid meals as an agent for the purpose, and to
make charges (if any) to persons availing themselves of the service.
Councils may combine in providing such a service.
The City Council's powers under this section were delegated to the
Public Health Committee.
An Invalid Meals Service has never operated in Westminster and
the precise extent of the need which may exist is not known. From
experience in other London Boroughs, however, it would appear that the
majority of meals being supplied are, in fact, ordinary meals comparable
with those being distributed to old people by the Meals on Wheels
service, but which are delivered to younger persons who are sick in their
own homes. It would also appear that the number of persons requiring
special diets, for which the services of a qualified dietician would be
required, is very small.