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VAGRANTS AND CRUDE SPIRIT DRINKERS
The problem of crude spirit drinkers was raised by the Southwark Borough Council at a
Metropolitan Borough's Standing Joint Committee during the year and in November, Mr. E.F.
St. John Lyburn M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O. (Med) B.A., T.C.D., of Tunbridge Wells communicated
with the Town Clerk of Stepney enclosing an extract from an historical survey of the City of
London about which he was apparently writing and in which he made reference to 'the lost souls
of the City', some of whom were methylated spirit drinkers in the vicinity of Widegate Street and
Artillery Lane and around the Salvation Army Hostel in Middlesex Street.
During the year two surveys of the problems of vagrancy* and crude spirit drinking were
carried out by groups of social workers which included representatives of the National Assistance
Board, Salvation Army, Church Army and voluntary social workers from the London County
Council. These two surveys were made on the nights of the 4th and 25th November and an endeavour
was made to persuade the vagrants to go to hostels. The total number sleeping out in
the London County Council area did not exceed 150. 80 persons were found to be sleeping on
Waterloo and Liverpool Street Stations and only a very low percentage of these were methylated
spirit drinkers.
The Salvation Army Authorities at the Middlesex Street Hostel where approximately 420 beds
are available, are unable to admit methylated spirit drinkers as their condition gives offence
to the Salvation Army Authorities as well as to the inmates of the hostel.
Charitable organisations endeavour to find accommodation for all types of vagrants and
most of these organisations have a standing arrangement with the Salvation Army regarding the
expenses for such persons accommodated at their request.
In addition to the problem of finding shelter for these individuals at night efforts are made
by various organisations to re-habilitate them and help them to take a proper place in society
by day. Such an organisation exists at St. Botolph's Church, Aldgate.
It was found on investigation that the vast majority of vagrants interviewed during the
two surveys found means of support either —
(a) from the Public Assistance
(b) from casual employment
(c) from a charitable or voluntary organisation.
and could afford, if they so desired, the 6s.0d. required for bed and breakfast at Middlesex Street.
The problem as far as this particular hostel is concerned are —
(a) accommodation is restricted; for the winter months the hostel runs at full capacity,
housing some 420 beds.
(b) the methylated spirit drinker presents his own problems and is not allowed entry.
(c) anti-social persons will not accept this means of accommodation.
Facilities are provided by the London County Council at Long Grove and other establishments
for the treatment of alcoholics and mental cases, but a difficulty arises in persuading these
men to receive attention and, if this is attained often they discharge themselves before treatment
is completed.
During the surveys it was discovered that 18 men were found to be 'sleeping out' at Spitalfields
Market and a similar number at Billingsgate Market. A few were found sleeping on
benches on the Embankment and in packing cases in the Widegate Street area.
Methylated spirit drinkers appear to obtain their supplies of crude spirit from chemists in
the form of surgical spirit or from ironmongers and builders' merchants as coloured methylated
spirit. The spirit is mixed with cheap eau-de-Cologne and sometimes milk is added.
OFFICES, SHOPS AND RAILWAY PREMISES ACT, 1963
The long overdue charter for office workers, giving a standard of working conditions in
line with those already enjoyed by workers under the Factories Act, now 'comes into existence
under the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963.
Generally, the Act provides for the health, welfare and safety of employees in offices,
shops, and certain railway premises, and except for a few sections, comes into force during
1964.
A number of the provisions are re-enactments and extensions of Sections 37 and 38 of the
Shops Act, 1950 which is repealed by the Act, i.e. seating accommodation, ventilation, temperature,
sanitary conveniences, lighting, washing facilities, and facilities for taking meals, but the
extended and additional provisions will now apply to offices and certain railway premises as
well as to shops.
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