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55
involve such interference with the liberty of the subject us to bo
unlikely to receive legislative sanction; that such power had since been
given, under certain conditions, in the Public Health Act, 1925, which
however, did not apply to London; that the question was being considered
by the County Council as to whether it was desirable that
powers similar to those granted to local sanitary authorities outside
London should be obtained for London, but before coming to a decision
in the matter it desired to ascertain the views of Metropolitan Borough
Councils,—and enquiring if the Borough Council desired to offer any
observations on the suggestion. Upon the recommendation of the
Public Health Committee the Council decided that the London County
Council be informed that this Council is in agreement with the
suggestion that power should be obtained to compel the cleansing of
verminous adults.
At the same meeting another report from the Committee was
received to the effect that they had considered a letter from the Hon.
Secretary of the Society of Medical Officers of Health (Metropolitan
Branch), with regard to the removal of persons (e.g., decrepit, lonely
old people unable to keep themselves clean, and often living alone in
one room) from insanitary premises, to the effcct that the Bradford
Corporation were putting a Clause through in a private Bill in Parliament
giving them power to obtain the removal of persons actually
living under insanitary conditions, and stating that the Society were of
the opinion that such power would be very useful in London.
The Council agreed to support this suggestion, and resolved to
inform the London County Council and the Metropolitan Boroughs'
Standing Joint Committee accordingly.
Disinfection.
The Disinfecting Station is situated in the yard of the Electric
Lighting Station, Litlios Road.
It is equipped with a Washington-Lyons apparatus, with a staff
of 3 men. The collection of infected or infested material is carried
out by two Electric Vans.
During 1926, 2,284 disinfections of houses, or parts of houses,
or their contents, were carried out, while, in addition, all infected
articles of clothing, etc., were suitably dealt with.