View report page

Page 3
Towards ttfe end of the year I also commenced an
inspection of certain areas of the borough which it was
considered might be suitable fir representation to the Council
as clearance areas under part 3 of the Housing Act of 1936.
As housing proceeds apace it is essential that steps shall
be taken to secure that slums are not allowed to exist side
by side with healthy new housing development - to breed an
unhealthy discontented population. Housing must be
associated with the eradication of slums.
During the month of Novenber an outbreak of foodpoisoning
occurred which involved 123 persons. The source
of trouble was noon discovered and the outbreak controlled.
The illness in no case was serious, recovery being rapid.
There were no fatalities.
The increase in the number of illegitimate children in
the country has caused concern and each welfare authority has
been asked to give the matter particular consideration. A
scheme was devised for London as a whole following upon
deliberations of the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint
Committee. It was advised there should be an increased
contribution to the various voluntary associations dealing
with this problem and that there should be a unified payment
to mothers prepared to foster illegitimate children. This
payment was determined at 17/6d per week for a child under a
year and 15/- thereafter until the child attained the age of
5 years. Payment may be made direct to the foster mother by
the local authority, recovery in part or whole being made from
the child's natural mother on a basis agreed throughout the
county. St. Pancras has adopted this scheme. The trouble,
however, lies in inability to find foster mothers and this
not only for illegitimate children, but for other children
whose mothers are unable to look after them themselves. It
is generally agreed that the legislation covering the care of
foster children is unsatisfactory at the present moment. Any
woman may receive a foster child for gain provided she gives
prior notification to the local authority. If the local
authority is not satisfied its remedy is to apply to a magistrate
to have the child removed to a place of safety or that it be
returned to its mother. There is no doubt that it is advisable
that prospective foster mothers should not be allowed to
accept children until they have received the consent of the
local authority following upon satisfactory investigations
concerning the person and her home and it is hoped that the
Government Committee considering the care of children looked
after away from their parents will give, this matter primary
consideration.
The nurseries of the borough are called "war-time
nurseries" and there is fear, therefore, that they may soon