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15
HOUSING.
The number of housing applications accepted as the responsibility of the Corporation was, on
31st December, 1951, 408, comprising 1,041 persons. During the year, 37 families, comprising 99
persons, were rehoused. This included 24 families (65 persons) transferred within property under the
control of the Corporation.
Two blocks of flats were under construction on a housing site in Old Kent Road, which was
formerly part of the Bridge House Estates of the Corporation, and it is expected that both will be
completed and occupied during 1952. One block to be called George Elliston House will comprise
45 flats, the other to be called Wilkins House will comprise 20 flats.
I referred also, in my last Annual Report, to the acquisition of a site in Golden Lane, partly in
the City but mainly in the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. The compulsory purchase order in
relation to this site was confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government on 27th February,
1951. The Corporation decided to use the method of an architectural competition for the purpose of
select ing an architect for the scheme, and this was organised in collaboration with the Royal Institute
of British Architects. The conditions of the competition were announced on 12th July, 1951, the
closing date for submission of designs being 31st January, 1952.
Between 900 and 950 persons will be housed on this site, and it is estimated that the cost, including
the acquisition of the land, will be about a million pounds.
THE WELFARE OF OLD PEOPLE.
On September 28th, 1950, the Lord Mayor invited a number of representative citizens to the
Mansion House to consider the desirability of forming a City of London Old People's Welfare Association.
The meeting unanimously resolved that such an Association should be formed, but it was
not till June, 1951, that the Constitution of the Association, modelled on the form suggested by the
National Council of Social Service and amended to suit the particular circumstances of the City,
was agreed and adopted.
Since then the Association has been very active. Records of the names and addresses of the old
people and of their circumstances and needs have been compiled with the help of voluntary visitors,
whose interest and sympathy has been welcomed in every instance and who have been able to do a
great deal to brighten the lives of old people and to help them in many of their difficulties and
perplexities.
The Three Score Club, in the Corporation flats on the east side of the City, is open every day and
has been a great success. The enthusiasm and enjoyment with which the old people enter into the
varied social activities of the Club is heart-warming. They are a most responsive audience to all the
generous people who have come to entertain them, but they are by no means entirely dependent on
visitors ; there is a surprising amount of talent amongst the members of the Club.
It has not yet been possible to provide a similar club for the west side of the City, but the City
of London Residents' Association have been most helpful in granting facilities at their Club for the old
people.
A very successful holiday scheme was organised and nearly 50 old people were enabled to spend
a week at the seaside.
Through the London Council of Social Service outings were arranged for about 80 old people,
who were entertained by Women's Institutes in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, and 60 members
of the Club spent a day at Brighton as the guests of the Portsoken Ward Club.
All the old people received a Christmas dinner and a small food parcel from funds provided by
the Lady Mayoress, the Mansion House Poor Box and many private persons.
Home help has been promptly supplied whenever and wherever necessary ; a chiropody service
has been arranged, and invalid chairs have been made available.
Everything possible is done for the old people in the City within the limited financial resources
of the City of London Old People's Welfare Association and a grateful tribute is due to the Hon.
Secretary of the Association, Mrs. R. Cohen, who devotes all her leisure to welfare activities, and to
whom the Association's successful beginning is very largely due.
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS.
Your Medical Officer carries out the medical examination of all new entrants to the staff of the
Corporation; of those who appear to be medically unfit to continue in employment and of those
who have had prolonged or repeated absence on account of illness.
In connection with the two last-mentioned categories, it is frequently necessary to correspond
with medical and surgical specialists on the staff of hospitals and with general medical practitioners,
and I have pleasure in recording that I have always received from them the greatest assistance and
courtesy.
The total number of medical examinations during the year was 228.
WIDOWS' PENSIONS.
The City of London (Various Powers) Act, 1950, gave the option to existing Officers of the
Corporation Staff to have the scheme for Widows' Pensions applied to them.
A recommendation for a health test, with a refused liability for the first five years in case of
failure to pass the test, was approved by the Joint Advisory Committee as providing a safeguard
for the fund. Accordingly a questionnaire similar to a form of "Proposal for Life Assurance without
Medical Examination" was prepared, and each applicant for admission to the scheme was required
to complete such form and submit it to your Medical Officer of Health.
534 forms were received by your Medical Officer of Health ; 468 persons were accepted and 7
were rejected on the information given on the forms. It was necessary to carry out medical examinations
in 59 cases. Of these 50 were accepted, 7 were rejected, and 2, who were on sick leave and were
unable to attend when requested, have since died.
The results are summarised as follows:—
Members electing to enter the Scheme 534
Members passed for admission 5181
Members deferred for first five years 14
Members dying before interviews arranged 2 }534J