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105
PUBLIC HEALTH (MEAT) REGULATIONS, 1924.
The Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924, were issued on
December 20th, 1924, and came into force on April 1st, 1925. The
Public Health Committee reported to the Council that the Regulations
had been handed over (formally) to the Medical Officer of Health,
as the official officer thereunder appointed, to carry them out, at the
Council Meeting held on 14th May, 1925, when it was resolved by the
Council to appoint also two Food Inspectors to assist the Medical
Officer of Health in connection with the new duties arising out of such
Regulations. The Council has duly authorised under the Regulations
the above-mentioned officers and also the Council's 12 District
Sanitary Inspectors.
A series of suggestions was drawn up by the Medical Officer of
Health as to the best practical way of carrying out the intentions of the
Legislature as set out in the Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924,*
but it was not intended that the suggestions were to be rigidly applied
to all cases, but only so far as was reasonably necessary, having regard
to the practical requirements of the meat trade. On the other hand,
however, every endeavour was to be made by all concerned to prevent
the serious and dangerous contamination of meat that, at present,
undoubtedly may take place in the ordinary course of business methods
that prevail generally in the trade to-day.
Such are the principles to which the Medical Officer of Health
adheres, in connection with all requirements that have been, or are
being, made on behalf of the Council.
The administration of the Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924,
as carried out within the Borough of Lambeth by the Medical Officer
' of Health and the Council's two Food Inspectors, may be tabulated as
follows :—
«
1. A circular letter, signed by the Medical Officer of
Health, was sent to each owner, or occupier, of every known
(a) slaughter-house, (b) meat shop (or meat store) and (e) meat
stall, situated within the Borough, setting out the respective
provisions tabulated in the Regulations with regard to such
slaughter-houses, meat shops (or meat stores) and meat stalls, and
stating that an inspection would be made officially by the
Council's officers, as required.
2. An official inspection is being made of all known
slaughter-houses, meat shops (or meat stores) and meat stalls, and
an official form filled in, registering, in each case, details of
conditions found to exist at the time of inspection, together with
particulars of any new requirements (also needed under the Public
* What applies to meat applies with equal force to other foods, e.g. fish, sweets,
vegetables, fruit, &c., and it is probable (and desirable) that these other foods should
also be dealt with by Regulations to be made by the Ministry of Health.