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VI.—LEGISLATION.
During the year the following Acts of sanitary interest to the Metropolis were
added to the Statutes:—
60 & 61 Vict., Chap. 31. An Act to permit Local Authorities to provide
cleansing and disinfection for persons infested with vermin.
60 & 61 Vict., Chap. 56. An Act to amend the law respecting the Metropolitan
Water Companies.
60 & 61 Vict., Chap. 57. An Act to amend the law for the better protection of
infant life.
The Cleansing of Persons Act, 1897, provides that any Local Authorities (Sanitary
Authority and Board of Guardians), shall have the power, when in their discretion
they shall see fit, to permit any person who shall apply to the said Authority, on
the ground that he is infested with vermin, to ha\e the use, free of charge, of the
apparatus (if any) which the Authority possess for cleansing the person and his
clothing from vermin. The use of such apparatus shall not be considered to be
parochial relief or charitable allowance to the person using the same, or to the
parent of such person, and no such person or parent shall by reason thereof be
deprived of any right or privilege or be subject to any disqualification or disability.
Local Authorities may expend any reasonable sum on buildings, appliances, and
attendants that may be required for the carrying out of the Act.
The Metropolis Water Act, 1897.—This Act makes the Railway and Canal
Commission a Court to hear and decide upon complaints as to water supply. If
the Vestry have cause to complain of the quality or quantity of the water supplied,
the Commission will be the proper body to make complaints to. There is also a
provision enabling a Local Authority to aid any water consumer in determining
before the Court any question of importance as to the rights, duties, and liabilities
of the Water Companies.
The Infant Life Protection Act, 1897, is administered by the London County
Council, and is for the purpose of detecting baby-farming.
SPECIAL REPORTS.
In addition to annual, monthly, weekly, and minor reports, special reports have
been made by me upon the following subjects, at the dates mentioned : —
Bye-laws for houses let in lodgings or tenement houses.. 13th January, 1897.
Inspection of factories as to sanitary conveniences and
drainage 10th February, 189.
Collection and removal of house refuse 8th March, 1897.
Encroachment upon open spaces about bui'dings 24th March, 1897.
As to the operation of the bye-laws of the Vestry dealing
with houses let in lodgings or tenement houses 24th March, 1897.
Cubic space and overcrowding in tenement houses ... ,24th March, 1897.
Collection, removal and disposal of house refuse 5th May, 1897.
Preparation, storage, and sale of human food in unfit
places 1st June, 1897.
Work of collecting house refuse 14th July, 1897.
On the subject of the amendment of' the Sale of Food and
Drugs Acts 25th August, 1897.
House-to-house inspection of streets and houses let in
lodgings or tenement houses .25th August, 1897.
Removal of manure (Crown Estate) 1st December, 1897.