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In line with other large cities such at New York, Washington,
Chicago, Dublin, Canberra, Sydney, Wellington, etc., Birmingham
has already decided in favour of a policy of fluoridation and Derby
is expected to follow shortly.
In Circular 28/62, the Minister of Health indicated that,
under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, he
was ready to approve arrangements made by Councils with water
undertakers for the addition of fluoride to water supplies which
were deficient in it naturally.
Subsequently, the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint
Committee with the support of all its 29 members, agreed to
approach the Metropolitan Water Board concerning the introduction of fluoride into London's water supply. The Board
intimated that there had been no general request by health authorities in the very wide area covered by the Board and they therefore
considered that the present time was not opportune for the introduction of such a measure. Later the M.B.S.J.C. decided to
approach the London County Council as the local health authority
with a view to securing the artificial fluoridation of water supplies
of the Board at an early date.
Circular 37/63 of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government suggested that when fluoridation was introduced by water
undertakers in accordance with arrangements made with local health
authorities, the full cost should be borne by the authorities concerned and that the water undertakers should satisfy the Minister
on the technical aspects of their arrangements to introduce fluoridation Moreover, the Minister hopes that water undertakers will
avail themselves of all the information and experience gained in
the "study' areas by consulting his department at an early stage
on the proposals regarding apparatus and routine control.
Scavenging and Repuse Disposal.—The collection of refuse
in the Borough is under the control of the Borough Engineer who
has kindly supplied me with the following information: —
Street Sweeping
During the year several streets have been closed in connection with comprehensive development of their surrounding areas,
but new streets have been constructed and have been adopted by
this Council so that the mileage of streets swept remains at
approximately 82. Frequency of sweeping continues as follows: —
(a) At least once daily (main roads)—25 per cent.
(b) Three times weekly—37½ per cent.
(c) Twice weekly—37½ per cent.
The latest addition to the Council's mechanical aids is a
"Johnston" Suction Cleaner/Sweeper which, as its name suggests