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51
MUNICIPAL CRECHES.
In the annual report for 1902, when dealing (pp. 60-68) with the subject of infantile mortality,
and considering a means for reducing it, I drew attention to the question of day nurseries for the
safe keeping of the babes of poor women compelled to earn their living away from home. This
subject also was dealt with at the Conference of delegates of the Borough Councils in July, 1904,
adverted to in the section on Milk Depots, and a resolution thereon was passed as follows:—
"That having regard to the declining birth-rate, and the large infantile mortality-rate of
the metropolis, it is desirable that the Metropolitan Borough Councils should be empowered,
at their discretion, to establish creches for the reception of young children during the hours
their mothers are employed in work away from home, and to make reasonable charges for
the accommodation so provided, and for the food of the children; and that the London
County Council be requested to insert in their General Powers Bill for the Session of 1905,
a clause to confer such power upon the said Borough Councils."
In a recent Session of Parliament, a Bill was introduced at the instance of the Acton Urban
District Council to confer discretionary power on sanitary authorities to establish creches, the want
being very pronounced in that important centre of the laundry industry. Approval of the principle
was expressed in the Committee room; but the Bill was thrown out—apparently on the ground that
there was no precedent for legislation of the sort.
This subject came before the Public Health Committee last year, on a reference by the
Council of a letter from the Acton Council suggesting the introduction into Parliament of an
Adoptive Act empowering Sanitary Authorities to establish creches. The Committee recommended
that a communication be addressed to the London County Council in the sense of the above-quoted
resolution of the Conference. The Committee, however, went further, having expressed the Opinion
that means should be taken to protect young children from possible danger to health when under
the charge of caretakers acting in a private capacity, during the time the mothers are employed at
work away from home, and they recommended—"That the London County Council be requested to
promote legislation for the amendment of the Infant Life Protection Act, 1897, so as provide for
the registration of persons who take charge of young children whilst their mothers are employed
away from their homes." The report was adopted.
FOOD AND DRUGS ADULTERATION ACTS.
The Public Health Committee had before them, in April, on a reference by the
Council, a letter from the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries expressing a doubt as to
whether, having regard to the variety of articles liable to adulteration, or likely to be
sold under false descriptions, the number of samples taken yearly under the " Sale of
Food and Drugs Acts" in Kensington, was sufficient to test, adequately, the purity
of the food supply of the distiict; and suggesting that the Council might with advantage
consider whether they should not cause more samples to be taken in their district. The letter was
referred to a Sub-Committee, who were requested to deliberate upon the whole question of the
procedure adopted in the taking of samples under the Acts. The scheme submitted by the
Sub-Committee, and approved by the Committee, was adopted by the Council, as follows:—
1. The control of fche taking of samples for analysis to be vested as heretofore in the Town
Clerk.
2. The Town Clerk to determine, from time to time, in consultation with the Chairman of
the Public Health Committee, the Public Analyst, and if deemed necessary the two
Inspectors taking the duty for the time being, as to the number and description of
the samples to be taken. The Town Clerk will in performing this duty, arrange with
the Medical Officer of Health as the head of the Public Health Department, as to the
times at which the Inspectors shall be liberated from their other duties for the purpose
of taking samples under the Acts, and will also see that effect is given to any
direction which, at any time, may be given by the Public Health Committee, as regards
the taking of samples of any particular food or drug under the Acts.
3. The Town Clerk will furnish the Public Analyst, from time to time, with a memorandum
showing the number and description of the samples which it is proposed should be taken;
and to the Inspectors taking the duty, memoranda containing the same particulars,
with the addition of a number of addresses at which specified articles are to be purchased.
These instructions to the Inspectors will be given in sealed envelopes on the
morning of the day on which the samples are to be taken.