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The Ministry of Labour, in a letter dated 10th June, 1964, to
local authorities stated that they did not propose to suggest a frequency for
the periodical general inspection of premises. Some classes of these
premises, e.g., food shops, have to be inspected under other statutes and
these visits may often present opportunities for an inspection under the Act.
However, the number of premises to be inspected varies widely between different
local authority areas in relation to their size and other circumstances.
While the Ministry hoped that authorities would aim to give all premises on
their registers an initial general inspection as soon as possible, they
recognised that in many areas it was likely to be a number of years before all
premises covered by the Act could be visited. Authorities were requested to
give priority to premises where conditions were thought to be poor or where
there were special hazards. Subject to this, it was recommended that
inspections should be planned so that a reasonable selection of premises of
different classes receive a general inspection each year.

The total number of visits of all kinds by inspectors to
registered premises was 562.
SUPERVISION OP POOD SUPPLIES
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT. 1955
This is the principal Act for controlling the composition,
labelling, fitness and hygienic handling of food.
FOOD HYGIENE (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, I960
These Regulations are the principal instruments for enforcing
good food hygiene practice in foodshops. Their main requirements were
given in my Reports 196l/62.
During the year, the public health inspectors have been engaged
on surveying food premises in the borough and a total of 2,545 inspections
was made.
In 5 cases, it was necessary to send informal notices pointing
out deficiencies under the Regulations and, generally speaking, the food
traders are complying with the requirements in a co-operative manner.
It was, however, found necessary to take legal proceedings for
contraventions of the Regulations as follows:-
Total number of male employees 9,706
" " " female " 16,116