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35
The activities at the Adult Centre for the adult mentally handicapped
remain unchanged. A total of 115 people aged 16 to 65 attend, 47 men and 68
women. The work carried out is of an occupational therapy nature and the men
and women work separately, although sometimes if a special contract has to be
finished in time, some of the men may work with the women. They all have their
meals together. Social academic instruction is also being given to most of the
clients by one specially trained instructor. However, as mentioned earlier the
period of training of this kind for each is far below that desirable in order
to get the trainees to attain a level where they can mix with ordinary citizens
without embarrassment. None of the clients have been found a place in industry
in the open market during the year. The attitude and treatment of these adult
mentally handicapped persons by the staff and much more by the parents has
tended to be very much over-protective with the result that the independence
that one ultimately should aim for them is not being achieved. At the time of
the annual medical assessment of the patient this problem has been discussed
with the parents and an endeavour made to explain that much more freedom and
training in social and ordinary environmental activities is necessary in order
to give their children a fuller life and to give them the independence needed
should they have to live on their own.
Purchase Tax on Handicraft Articles
In December 1969, a general enquiry was made by H.M. Customs and Excise as
to centres in the Health and Welfare Departments in the Borough in which disabled
and handicapped persons undertook therapeutic activities resulting in the
production of finished articles. It was evident that work of this nature, which
had hitherto avoided attention, was to be investigated. Replies to this enquiry
emphasised the individual rather than the corporate nature of such activities
and also that the Council purchased handicraft materials and sold complete
articles on the makers' behalf.
In May 1970, an application for exemption on these grounds in respect of the
Welfare Department Centre was submitted, but it became clear, following a meeting
of Health and Welfare Department officers, representatives of Town Clerk and
Borough Treasurer with officials of the Customs and Excise, that no exemption
could be granted to that Department or the Adult Training Centre of the Health
Department, although a concession was made to the effect that the appropriate
purchase tax rate would be levied on 80% of the selling price in recognition of
the fact that there was no intermediate stage between maker and seller.
Registration of Health Department activities became effective from 27th April,
1970.
The articles made at the Homerton Training Centre, the centre for adult
mentally subnormal, are in the main purchased by trainees themselves, their
relatives or friends, or by staff. Only a very small proportion are sold to the
public - usually at the Council's Annual Field Day. The items made range from
dishcloths, scourers and slippers, to bags, baskets, plant-stands and trays.
The sales average £1,100 a year, the proceeds of sales being used to
purchase raw materials for the goods. It was estimated that the Purchase Tax
due on the items would be about £100 p. a.
The Health Committee considered this matter and recommended that representation
be made to the appropriate bodies, including the Central Council for
the Disabled, with a view to the promotion of legislation to exempt undertakings
manufacturing goods for recreational purposes for handicapped persons or
for therapeutic or rehabilitation purposes from the payment of purchase
tax.
It will be interesting to see the outcome of these representations.