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5
therefore depend on the keenness and efficiency of its staff of
Sanitary Inspectors. It will also depend on having a sufficient
number. During the past five years a number of Acts of Parliament
have been passed whose administration has become the responsibility
of the Public Health Department and which have therefore increased
the work of its officers. These Acts include the -
Housing Act, 1949,
Pet Animals Act, 1951,
Rag Flock and Other Filling Materials Act, 1951,
Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952,
Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954,
Food and Drugs Act, 1955 and the Food Hygiene Regulations,
London County Council (General Powers) Acts, including
the Registration and Inspection of Barbers Shops.
The establishment for Sanitary Inspectors in 1950 was
11. In 1951 the establishment was raised to 12 but between the
years 1951 and 1954 there was only one year when we had a full
complement of Inspectors. In 1955 the establishment was raised
to 15 but in fact there were only 12 Inspectors on the staff and
the position remains the same today.
The Council has realised that the shortage of Sanitary
Inspectors is not only local but national, for the response to
advertisements has been quite unsatisfactory. In March, 1955 a
clerlk/trainee inspector was appointed in an endeavour to overcome
the shortage of sanitary inspectors, and in December, 1955 a
further clerk/trainee was appointed. In addition to these two
appointments there was already one junior clerk who was undergoing
a course of study for the Sanitary Inspector's Certificate.
The Housing; Repairs and Rents Act, 1954
The Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 195 lays down the
principles we should look for when assessing a house for fitness
for human habitation. This is a very useful guide for the
Sanitary Inspector in his work, especially when dealing with
slum clearance. The same Act also introduced Certificates of
Disrepair for houses which were not fit in every respect for
habitation. It was hoped this Act would induce landlords to
Pender their property fit for human habitation in all respects
and to supply proper amenities. This object has been only
achieved to a very limited extent. During the year 1955, 75
certificates of disrepair were granted and 4l revoked upon
completion of the necessary work.