The paper describes the introduction of National Provident Fund Schemes in the British Leeward and Windward Islands under the guidance of the British Government during the 1960s. Adopted on the recommendations of technical experts from the United Kingdom, the schemes are very similar (except for the inoperative one in one of the territories where unfavourable political developments occurred); they are funded by payroll taxes levied on both employers and employees, cover nonpensionable employees between ages 16 and 60 and make provisions for retirement and other benefits which have mostly been deferred. The operations of the schemes are discussed, with critical attention being given to the use made of the accumulated funds. Many weaknesses of the schemes are discussed, some of which make them inferior, in the writer's view, to alternate programmes suggested several years earlier. The paper concludes with the hope that in spite of the schemes' limitations, improvements will be made so as to improve the prospects for social security in the region.

Developments in the realms of social work practice, writing and research have provided fuel for the claim that the opinion of the consumer should exercise a formative influence in the development of policies impinging on the social services. However, it is difficult to decide when the opinion of the consumer has been understood. Also, even when the views of consumers are known, the question of how these views are utilized in the formulation of policies remains problematic. Furthermore, weaknesses in the research strategies of recent studies limit the applicability of policy recommendations which occur in this literature.

This article discusses a study of the factors affecting rent rebate and allowance take-up carried out by Batley Community Development Project. The scope and limitations of an action-research approach in monitoring the impact of publicity, and the importance of attitudinal explanations of the take-up of means-tested benefits are discussed.

The research shows that take-up is relatively low, especially in the case of private tenants, and little affected by experimental publicity. Take-up cannot be explained as a simple function of publicity initiatives. Complex attitudinal factors only disclosed in depth-interview affect the impact, relevance and credibility of campaigns. Such factors, and particularly stigma, are likely to limit the potential of publicity for raising the take-up of rent benefits.

A planner should be aware of alternative social goals of housing planning. For example: to encourage frequent contacts and manifest neighbourliness, or to plan for maximum privacy; to strive for ethnic integration through ethnically mixed housing or to let people live close to those who resemble themselves, as they usually prefer. The selection of social goals involves value judgements, but opinions differ about the question of whose values should be considered in this decision process.

Once the basic value judgements are made and the social goals selected, the planner looks for ways to realize the goals. This paper surveys sociological studies which define some of the relevant factors and provide guidance concerning social conditions in which physical planning can contribute to the realization of selected goals.