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36
Burial of the Dead
Section 50 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, places upon the Borough Council
the responsibility of causing to be buried or cremated the body of any person who has
died in the area, or been found dead in the area, in any case where it appears that no
suitable arrangements for the disposal of the body are otherwise likely to be made. Such
cases are those of persons who die in poor circumstances, and, with few exceptions, have
no known relatives.
Hospital Management Committees and Boards of Governors of Teaching Hospitals
have been asked by the Minister to exercise their powers to arrange and pay for the burial
or cremation of such persons dying in hospital. This Circular does not apply to voluntary
hospitals, of which there are two in the Borough, namely the French Hospital, Shaftesbury
Avenue, and the Italian Hospital, Queen Square.
During the year six cases were dealt with, at a total cost of £73 7s. 6d. The total
amount recovered during the year in respect of burials was £95 15s. 10d. The cases
had come to the notice of the Public Health Department from the following sources:—
French Hospital 2
Coroner's Officer 3
Friends or Relatives of Deceased 1
Legal Proceedings
Nature of Offence Action Taken Under Result
Selling food not of the Section 3 of the Food and Fined £2.0.0. Council
quality demanded. Drugs Act, 1938 awarded £3.3.0 costs.
(Mould on sausage rolls).
New Legislation
The Food and Drugs Act, 1955
This Act, which came into operation on the 22nd November, 1955, is a consolidating
Act. It repeals and consolidates the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, the Food and Drugs
(Milk, Dairies and Artificial Cream) Act, 1950, the Food and Drugs Amendment Act,
1954, and certain sections of the Slaughterhouses Act, 1954 and the Slaughter of Animals
(Amendment) Act, 1954.
Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955
These Regulations take the place of Section 13 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938,
which was repealed by the Food and Drugs Amendment Act, 1954, and also add a number
of new provisions as to the hygienic handling of food and the construction, maintenance
and repair of premises, stalls, and vehicles where food is handled. The coming into force
of certain of the Regulations is deferred until the 1st July, 1956, where, for example,
alterations to premises are necessitated. Local authorities are empowered to give certificates
of exemption from certain requirements if, through special circumstances (such as
restricted accommodation), compliance with the provisions concerned cannot reasonably
be required.
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1955
Gives additional power for securing the remedying of defective drains, and for securing
the restoration of water supply to any occupied building where the Metropolitan Water
Board cease to supply water because of defects in pipes and fittings. It also gives power
where unreasonable delay would result in following the procedure of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1936, in connection with certain nuisances, for a local authority to execute
the necessary works and to recover the cost.