View report page

14
SANITARY INSPECTION
General
The total number of primary inspections carried out by the district
public health inspectors fell from 6,941 in 1959 to 4,941.
The fall in the number of primary inspections was caused by several
factors. In the first place, the Chief Public Health Inspector (Mr.
Webster) was engaged, for the most part, in duties connected with the
inception of the first smoke control area until his retirement from the
service in September. Secondly, Mr. Waring, a district Inspector, was
detached from those duties and appointed Clean Air Officer with certain
duties relating to factories, but mainly engaged with the preparation for
the second smoke control area which is to come into operation in October,
1961. Thirdly, Mr. Brown, a district Inspector, resigned in June in
order to take up another appointment and was not replaced until August
and no appointment has yet been made to fill the vacancy left by the
retirement of Mr. Webster.
At the end of the year we were two Inspectors short of the normal
establishment.
Two student inspectors were engaged and together with a member of
the clerical staff, are under training, but it will be some time before they
are qualified Inspectors. In addition, two of the Inspectors are studying
for additional qualifications and have consequently been away from
normal duties at intervals.
In these circumstances districts have had to be re-organised and enlarged
with the consequence that routine visiting and inspection has
suffered.
Defects found were dealt with under the Public Health (London) Act,
the London County Council (General Powers) Acts and the London
County Council Bye-Laws.
Rodent Control
Two rodent operators were employed throughout the year under the
general direction of the Chief Public Health Inspector, and the following
tables summarise the work carried out: —