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Town HALL,
BETHNAL GREEN, E.2.
June, 1921.
To the Mayor, the Aldermen and
Councillors of the Metropolitan
Borough of Bethnal Green.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you my second Annual
Report, which deals with the Health of the Borough of Bethnal
Green for the year 1920.
The year has been one of steady progress in health matters,
and a determined and partly successful effort has been made to
cope with the arrears of work arising out of the long period of
the War.
This has necessitated some increase in staff, generously and
wisely provided by yourselves, and the formation of a Housing
Section within the Public Health Department.
There has been great activity in dealing with housing questions
throughout the year, and if the results of such activity are disappointing
it is not due to any lack of foresight and enthusiasm on
the part of yourselves, or lack of zeal on the part of your officers.
However, although there are no new houses or cleared slum areas
in evidence so far, it must not be forgotten that there has been in
progress throughout the year a large amount of repair and improvement
of individual houses resulting from the work of the sanitary
inspectors.
In the following report I have only touched on housing
questions so far as they concern myself as a Health Officer, and
have not attempted to deal with the important question of
re-housing, with which your Town Clerk and Borough Surveyor are
more concerned.
Owing to the need for economy this Report] is much abridged,
and much information of minor importance as well as some
statistical summaries have been omitted.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the Members
of the Council, and more particularly the Public Health and
Housing Committees, for the support and consideration they have
accorded myself and my staff during the past year. I must also
tender my thanks for the support I have received from my brother
officers both in the Public Health and other Departments.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
GEOFFREY EUGENE OATES,
Medical Officer of Health.