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"approached the Local Government Board on the subject before the passing of the Local
Government Act, 1899," but the "question has not been settled as yet; the Board desiring
to await the report of the Tuberculosis Commission which is still sitting."
(30) Milk Depots.—The Committee think that the Milk supply should pass through as few
hands as possible, and that milk depots should be formed in every town obtaining their supply
direct from the farms. They think this could be done "without recourse to direct municipal
action; "but add "that in all Improvement Bills promoted by local authorities, the insertion of
provisions dealing with the milk supply within their area should be insisted upon."
(31) Sterilization and Refrigeration.—The Committee recommend an investigation by a small
body of experts into the whole subject of sterilization of milk.
Other recommendations touched upon by the Public Health Committee, but which do not
call for comment here, are (13) Medical Inspection of'Factories, (16) Workshops, and (23) Infantile
Mortality and Employment of Women.
I have referred at some length to the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee,
and the observations thereon of the Public Health Committee, on account of the bearing they have
on the "Legislative proposals" of the County Council for the session of 1907, a subject dealt with
below.
LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS—SESSION OF 1907.
Under the above heading, and in accordance with usual practice, the Public Health
Committee of the London County Council, in May last, presented a report containing recommendations
as to the legislation in public health matters which the Council should promote in the
session of 1907. The report was adopted in July, and the recommendations, having been agreed,
form the basis of the sanitary clauses in the Council's General Powers Bill. Some of the
recommendations are dealt with in other portions of this report: others may find a place here.
Prevention of Disease.—The Committee recommend application for authority—
"(iii.) Enabling sanitary authorities to require owners of laundries to supply the names
and addresses of their customers."
The Committee thought this power "would be useful to sanitary authorities in tracing
possible sources of infection: it has already been obtained through Local Acts by several sanitary
authorities outside London.
Houses adapted as tenements.—The recommendation proposes an application for authority—
"(vi.) Enabling sanitary authorities to require owners to make reasonable provision
for the supply of water, and the storage and cooking of food, in tenement houses."
The subject of the first part of this recommendation was dealt with in my annual report for
1905 (page 106); the second part deals with a matter in which the well-being of families is sensibly
affected. The recommendation is deserving of support by sanitary authorities.
Premises used for preparation of food for sale.—The recommendation is that application
be made for authority—
"(vii.) Enabling sanitary authorities to examine premises on which food is prepared
for sale, and to require the removal of conditions likely to give rise to contamination."
This matter found a place in the County Council's General Powers Bill, 1904, power having been
sought to "enable sanitary authorities to examine premises in London where food for human consumption
is prepared for sale, and to require the removal of conditions likely to give rise to contamination."
The subject was dealt with in my annual report for 1904: the power again
proposed to be acquired, is such as sanitary authorities should possess.
Sorting and sifting by hand of house refuse.—The recommendation is that application be
made for authority—
"(viii.) Prohibiting the sorting and sifting by hand of house refuse in London."
This is a renewed attempt to put an end to the "nuisance caused, in London, through accumulations
of house refuse deposited on premises for the purpose of being sorted by hand or
machinery"; it being stated that "at certain yards the sorting of refuse is done by women under
most objectionable conditions." The clause in the General Powers Bill of 1904, to prohibit sorting
and sifting of house refuse by hand, was rejected by a Select Committee of the House of
Commons.