London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Islington 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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1937 60
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| (b) | Number of new cases of overcrowding reported during the year | Nil |
| (c) | (i) Number of cases of overcrowding relieved during the year | 155 |
| (ii) Number of persons concerned in such cases | 965 | |
| (d) | Particulars of any cases in which dwelling-houses have again become overcrowded after the local authority have taken steps for the abatement of overcrowding | Nil |
| (e) | Any other particulars with respect to overcrowding conditions upon which the Medical Officer of Health may consider it desirable to report | Nil |
THE SHOPS ACT, 1934.
Inspections were continued systematically during the year for any contraventions
of the provisions of the Shops Acts and 634 premises were added to the
number already on the register.
As the requirements of the Act have now become better known to the shopkeepers,
little difficulty has been experienced in carrying out its provisions.
The practice of asking traders to execute necessary repairs voluntarily has
been continued with marked success, and is appreciated by the traders. In many
instances shop-keepers have gone beyond what would have been required by notices.
Proceedings in the Police Court have been necessary only in one instance.
This was rather in the nature of a test case as to what was reasonable alternative
accommodation under the Act, following on the refusal of the Council to grant a
certificate of exemption for sanitary conveniences. The case was withdrawn on the
Council granting a certificate of exemption, which was given for other alternative
accommodation than that at first offered.
Experimental work at the suggestion of the Inspector (Mr. G. S. Green) in
connection with the heating of butchers', greengrocers' and fruiterers' premises is
still being carried out, in many instances very successfully, while in the grocery
and provision trade no further difficulties have been experienced. In connection
with the latter trade, some particularly good systems are now being installed following
experimental work during last winter. No solution has yet been found for the fish
trade, although hot water, and suitably heated rooms to which the staff can retire
are provided in most instances.
The following table shows the number of shops on the register at the end of 1937, visits paid, etc.:—
| Number of shops on Register, 31st December, 1936 | 2,570 |
| Number of shops removed from Register during 1937 | 70 |
| 2,500 | |
| Number of shops added to Register during 1937 | 634 |
| Total number of shops on Register, 31st December, 1937 | 3,134 |
| Total number of visits to shops | 4,008 |
| Number of intimation notices served | 42 |
| Statutory notices served | 14 |
| Number of cases in which work was carried out voluntarily | 129 |
| Exemption certificates issued in 1937 | 5 |