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27
Ice Cream Vendors.—The compulsory registration of ice
cream vendors has been the subject of enquiry for some years
past.
I submitted a report to the Public Health Committee in
June, 1921, when, following the approval of my recommendations,
the London County Council was asked to include a
clause in a General Powers Bill, which would provide for
such compulsory registration.
Compulsory registration of all premises where ice cream is
manufactured, stored or sold, is required to ensure that the
manufacture or storage is carried out under proper conditions.
Under present legislation, it is not necessary for any
person to obtain permission to manufacture or sell, and it is
a matter of great difficulty to keep the register required by
the London County Council (General Powers) Act.
During the past year, in this Borough, twelve additional
premises were placed on the register, but it is certain that
others have been used for manufacturing and have not yet
been discovered.
More often than not, these premises are discovered by accident.
This must be so, failing a systematic inspection of the
whole of the Borough.
During the same period many businesses have changed
hands. It is not necessary, at present, for the new owner to
notify the change, and it has been found that premises kept
in proper condition at the time of registration—have become
far from satisfactory under the new ownership.
It cannot be too strongly pointed out that the sale of this
commodity, made or sold under insanitary conditions, may
prejudicially affect the health of those persons partaking of it.
The question is again becoming the subject of discussion,
and a further request has been made to the London County
Council, through the Society of Medical Officers of Health,
for powers to secure compulsory registration.
Schools.—The sanitary condition and water supply of the
Schools is a matter which requires very little attention from
the Public Health Department. The supervision of the
schools is in the hands of the London County Council, but
combined action has been taken when and where required,
with a view to preventing the spread of infectious disease.
An arrangement exists whereby cases of Measles, Whooping
Cough and Chicken Pox are notified by the Head Teacher to
the Medical Officer of Health, at the same time as they inform
the Divisional Superintendent.