Chapter I—Organisation
Local Authorities and W.V.S.
Women's Voluntary Services are prepared to advise, organise
or assist with any scheme for communal feeding which may be
required, but it must be understood that all responsibility,
financial or otherwise, for any such scheme, must rest with the
appropriate authority.
This may be any of the following: —
1. County and County Borough Councils and other local
authorities who are responsible for A.R.P. and fire services.
2. Education and Reception Authorities (as responsible
for children and other evacuated persons).
3. Public Assistance Authorities (as responsible for relief
of those in distress in case of sudden emergency).
Note.—Canteens for the Fighting Forces are usually under-
taken by other organisations, but the Women's Voluntary
Services would be prepared to co-operate when requested.
Alternative Methods of Communal Feeding.
Feeding large numbers may be undertaken in any of the
following ways, separately or in combination: —
(a) Communal Kitchens.
These may be set up for feeding evacuated people and
others requiring full meals at regular hours.
(b) Cook Houses.
These are intended to supply mobile canteens (see (d))
or individuals wishing to buy ready cooked food to be
taken away. It should be noted that for this purpose
customers must bring their own dishes, as the cook house
cannot take any responsibility for supplying containers.
Food may also be consumed on the premises where the
accommodation is suitable.
(c) Canteens.
These may be organised for the provision of food of all
kinds but are particularly suitable for snack meals and for
feeding A.R.P. personnel, or those requiring food when it
is not available from the ordinary sources.
(d) Mobile Canteens.
These should supplement, but not replace stationary
canteens. They may be useful for any of the above pur-
poses, but in particular: —
1. To supply food where difficulty in obtaining it is
experienced owing to the population being scattered.
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