The National Assistance (Amendment) Act 1962

Having been introduced as a Private Member's Bill by Mr Geoffrey Johnson Smith, the National Assistance (Amendment) Act 1962 received royal assent on 1 August 1962.

The Act enabled local authorities to provide assistance to voluntary and community groups to provide meals and recreational services for the elderly. It also allowed local authorities to incur capital expenditure to support these organisations.

In May, at the second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords, Baroness Swanborough stated:

'This Bill will make it possible, even more than heretofore, for local authorities and voluntary organisations to integrate their efforts, one with the other, in order to serve the community.'