CARE OF THE BLIND

Evening Star, Issue 20374, 4 January 1930, Page 11

CARE OF THE BLIND

PENSIONS Hi BRITAIN COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDA- ! TIONS. (British Official Wireless.) . Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, January 1. Blind persons registered l in this country number 60,771, and 36,485 of these are classed unemployable. , _ How further to improve then- lot is discussed in a report signed by Lord Blanesburgh and presented by the Advisory Committee on the Welfare of the Blind to the Ministry of Health. The returns from local authorities show that of the unemployable blind 5,111 are in institutions, and 31,374 live at home or in lodgings. Only two-thirds of the latter possess means, including grants, exceeding 15s a week. A scheme for the provision of an assured minimum income for all unemployable blind persons living at home or in lodging is recommended by the Advisory Committee, and local authorities are urged to adopt a comprehensive scheme which will provide that the means of those living in urban areas shall bo brought up to 25s a week. Standard incomes of 18s a week in rural areas and 20s to 25s a week in the more urban, county areas are suggested.' The committee expresses the opinion that the age at' which old-age pensions are payable. to the , blind should be reduced from fifty to forty years.