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It is estimated that there are about 60 shops and other premises
in the Borough at which heating appliances are sold or let on hire. In
view however, of the exception, until 1st October, 1954, of appliances
made before 1st October, 1953, little can be done until after the former
date to enforce the requirements of the Regulations.
Use of Slipper Baths by Old Age Pensioners.
On the 30th January, 1952, the Council, on a recommendation of
The Health Committee (with which the Baths and Wash-Houses Committee
were in agreement) decided to make available to old age pensioners free
use of the slipper baths at their Baths Establishments (with use of
towel) on production of their pension books.
During the year 1953 this arrangement was taken advantage of by
9,852 persons—4,453 men and 5,399 women.
Public Swimming Baths.
The Council maintain four public swimming pools—three at
Latchmere Baths and one at Nine Elms Baths.
Samples of the water from these pools are taken weekly for
bacteriological examination. The results show that the water has
consistently maintained a high degree of purity.
Protection of Food Supply.
(A)—INSPECTION OF FOOD PREMISES.
Regular inspection of all premises where food for human consumption
is prepared, stored, or sold has always been carried out as a
routine measure, for it is evident that constant inspection and supervision
is the only really satisfactory way of securing and maintaining satisfactory
hygienic conditions in such premises. Abundant evidence of
this is provided by the immense improvement in the conditions at
catering establishments which, in the past three years, have had
special attention paid to them.
In all these inspections, emphasis is on advice and education rather
than upon formal enforcement of statutory provisions, the latter being
invoked only when peaceful persuasion fails to achieve the desired
improvement.
For many years it had been the practice in Battersea to allocate the
responsibility for the inspection of all food premises to specialist
inspectors. The increasing recognition of the importance to public
health of those premises, and the increase in legislation affecting them,
however, has made it evident that an increase in the volume of inspection
had become a matter of urgent necessity. The Council, therefore,
decided that as from 1st November, 1953, the District Sanitary
Inspectors should be given responsibilities in this field, and accordingly
they are now undertaking the routine inspection of certain food premises
in their various districts.