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Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Bethnal Green, E.2.
May, 1956.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Bethnal Green.
Mr. Mayor, Ladles and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my report on the health and
sanitary circumstances of the Borough for the year 1955.
Although the health of the population generally was satisfactory,
the number of cases of infectious disease was considerably more than
during the previous year. The total number of cases of poliomyelitis
throughout the country was much higher than for some years and
Bethnal Green did not escape. Indeed the first indication of an
epidemic in the London area was the number of cases which occurred
in Bethnal Green and in the adjoining borough of Stepney. During
the year also, there was a large number of cases of measles which
accounted for three quarters of the total notifications of
infectious disease.
Throughout 1955 the main emphasis was again on housing and
following a survey of the Borough a slum clearance programme was
prepared and this, after consultation with the London County Council,
was submitted to the Minister in accordance with the provisions of
the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954. Some details are given in
Section C of the report.
The effects of the slum clearance programmes, both of the Borough
Council and the London County Council, are now becoming much more
apparent to anyone who walks through the Borough. Many fine new
dwellings have been erected and are in occupation, others are in
course of erection and the demolition of the old houses, particularly
in the western half of the Borough, has let air and light into many
areas which were previously composed of grim narrow roads and crowded
houses. The face of Bethnal Green is changing and although some
people may regret the demolition of the historic "old weavers" houses
their passing will not, I am sure, be regretted by those who for many
years have had to live in them.