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87
Mortuary Accommodation—Arrangements with Other Authorities
(a) Holborn Borough Council
An arrangement exists between the City Council and the Holborn
Borough Council whereby bodies from Holborn, which are not the concern
of H.M. Coroner, can be accommodated at the City Council's Mortuary
in Horseferry Road whilst awaiting burial.
The arrangement came into operation in September, 1956; no bodies
were received in the mortuary from Holborn during 1963.
(b) Southwark Borough Council
In July, 1962, an arrangement was entered into between the City
Council and the Southwark Borough Council whereby bodies from the
Boroughs of Bermondsey and Camberwell would be accommodated at
the Westminster mortuary whilst the Southwark mortuary was being
rebuilt.
The arrangement came into operation on 3rd November, 1962, and
continued until 18th January, 1964. This extended period unfortunately
coincided with the severe winter of January-March, 1963, when an
unexpectedly high number of bodies was deposited at the Mortuary,
placing a heavy burden on the staff and the available accommodation.
In addition, the re-building of the Southwark mortuary was hampered
by the severe weather. I am pleased to record that all the members
of the staff at the Mortuary carried out their duties in an exemplaty
manner, despite varied meal breaks, long hours and exceptional weather
conditions.