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15
The distribution of welfare foods among old people through the clubs, clinics and domiciliary services,
continued in good demand during 1964.
At the end of the year the Committee had appointed two Bathing Attendants to attend to the elderly
frail in their own homes.
The Committee laid in stocks of fuel for emergency use against a repetition of the severe winter
conditions of 1962/63.
A good deal of attention has been devoted during the year to the future of old people's welfare in
the Borough in the light of the pending reorganisation of London Government.
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
In accordance with the provisions of section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, arrangements
were made for the burial of nine persons during the year, at a cost of £109 18s. 6d., £13 14s. Od. being
recovered from the relatives.
PUBLIC MORTUARY
Post-mortems were performed on 588 bodies, followed by an inquest in 108 cases.
There were 55 inquests on Willesden residents, but only two of these were held in the Coroner's
Court attached to the mortuary. The remainder were held at Ealing and Twickenham.

In June a deputation of three members and the Medical Officer of Health met the Coroner to discuss
the use of the Court. The Council felt that the Court could be used more often and more inquests on Willesden
residents could be held there.
In spite of the representations made by the members the Coroner could hold out no hope of an
improvement in the position and following the deputation's report the Council decided to defer the matter
for the time being having regard to the possibility of a review of coroners' areas taking place as a result of
local government reorganisation, particularly in the Borough of Brent which at present is in two coroners'
areas.
LICENSING OF HAWKERS
Hawkers of food and premises used by them for storage accommodation must be registered by the
Council (section 11 of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1950). Eighteen licences have been issued to hawkers
(14 selling fruit and vegetables, two selling fish, one selling meat, one selling bread and confectionery).
There were two new licences issued in 1964.
RAG FLOCK AND OTHER FILLING MATERIALS ACT, 1951
The Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951, and Regulations, 1961, specify the standards
of cleanliness for the filling materials.
The premises of manufacturers of rag flock and those for storing rag flock must be licensed. One
manufacturer of soft toys who employs out-workers only, uses premises for the storage of rag flock.
The premises of persons carrying on business of upholstering, stuffing or lining of bedding, toys and
baby carriages, and others using materials specified in the Act, must be registered; a fee of £1 is paid. There
were no new registrations during the year. One registered business ceased to use rag flock, using only foam
fillings instead, leaving 12 premises on the register.
The Act does not cover the re-making of an article, and dirty materials may be used in upholstering
articles being repaired.
Four samples of filling materials were taken during the year and they proved to be satisfactory.
PET ANIMALS ACT, 1951
The owners of pet shops must obtain an annual licence costing 10/-. The shops are inspected by
boih Public Health Inspectors and Shops Act Inspectors: Public Health Inspectors inspect premises for size,
lighting, ventilation and cleanliness, and for the precautions taken for preventing spread of infectious diseases.
During 1964, 10 pet shops were licenced.